Preventing the Preventable: A Workplace Safety Wake-Up Call for Small Businesses
Every day, small businesses across the country work hard to grow, support their employees, and serve their customers. But one serious, and often underestimated, risk threatens that effort: workplace injuries. According to a recent survey by Pie Insurance, a staggering 75% of small businesses experienced a workplace injury in the past year. Even more concerning—over half of those injuries were preventable.
As a California-based insurance agency serving both commercial and personal clients, we at Morning Star Insurance believe it’s time to rethink how we approach workplace safety—not just as a compliance issue, but as a smart, proactive business strategy.
The Real Cost of Workplace Injuries
Workplace injuries come at a high cost—financially, operationally, and emotionally. Over 30% of small business owners reported spending more than $20,000 per year on injury-related costs such as medical bills, lost wages, legal fees, and insurance premium increases.
And it doesn’t stop there. On average, a single injury leads to four days of employee work lost and three full days of business disruption. For a small team, even one employee’s absence can drastically affect productivity and service quality.
If your business uses company vehicles, that adds another layer of risk. Nearly 42% of businesses with commercial vehicles reported on-the-job accidents, with each incident costing an average of $5,725.
But here’s the kicker: since half of all incidents are considered preventable, that means small businesses could be saving thousands—simply by putting better safety practices in place.
The Silent Risk: Mental Health
While physical injuries are easier to see, mental health-related workplace injuries have quietly become even more common. The survey revealed that 22% of reported injuries were tied to stress, burnout, or mental fatigue, now outpacing physical causes like slips, trips, and falls (20%).
What’s more, nearly half of small businesses ranked mental health as their top safety concern. Yet only about half have a written policy to address it.
This gap highlights a major opportunity. By investing in mental health resources—such as wellness programs, flexible work hours, and access to counseling—businesses can create a stronger, more resilient workforce.
At Morning Star, we recommend regular check-ins with employees, anonymous surveys to assess mental well-being, and providing access to Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) to support staff before small stresses become big problems.
Barriers to Safety—and How to Overcome Them
One of the biggest challenges small businesses face is resistance from employees themselves. According to the Pie Insurance study, 42% of owners said their teams didn’t follow safety protocols or didn’t believe they were necessary.
To shift this culture, business owners must lead by example and make safety part of the everyday conversation—not just an annual training checklist. Here are a few ways to do that:
- Include safety in team meetings
- Use signage and reminders around high-risk areas
- Reward safe behavior and suggestions for improvement
- Share real-world examples of how safety procedures prevented accidents
When employees feel personally invested in creating a safe workplace, they’re more likely to follow procedures and look out for one another.
Smart Safety Tools: Technology to the Rescue
The future of workplace safety includes smart technology—and small businesses are ready. The survey shows 81% of small business owners are open to AI-powered safety tools, and 44% have already implemented them. Of those, 73% saw measurable improvements in workplace safety.
From predictive analytics to wearable sensors, these tools can help detect risks before they lead to accidents. They can also be used to monitor vehicle safety, reduce distracted driving, or alert managers to early signs of fatigue or strain.
Whether you’re in construction, retail, hospitality, or another field, Morning Star can help you evaluate which tools make the most sense for your business and industry.
5 Actionable Steps to Improve Workplace Safety Today
- Perform a Full Safety Audit
Identify physical hazards, repetitive strain risks, and mental stress points. - Update Training Programs
Offer onboarding and refresher safety training specific to each role. - Introduce Mental Health Policies
Implement EAPs, set boundaries on work hours, and encourage PTO use. - Make Safety a Team Effort
Empower employees to speak up about concerns and participate in solutions. - Adopt Smart Safety Technology
Use digital tools and apps to track safety metrics and predict potential issues.
Let’s Build a Safer Business—Together
Workplace injuries aren’t just bad luck—they’re often signs of gaps in preparation. The good news is that most of these injuries can be avoided with the right mindset and resources in place.
At Morning Star Insurance, we go beyond providing coverage—we’re your partner in risk management. Whether you’re looking to review your current workers’ compensation policy, improve your safety practices, or protect your team with mental health initiatives, we’re here to help.
Ready to safeguard your business and your people? Contact us today for a personalized safety and insurance review. A safer workplace starts now.
