It’s About Your People, Not Just Compliance
When we talk about workplace safety in automotive dealerships, the conversation often revolves around regulations and compliance. But as Zach Pucillo, KPA’s EHS Compliance Manager explains in the accompanying video, there’s something much more fundamental at stake: your people.
“It’s not necessarily about the regulations,” Zach emphasizes. “It’s about taking care of your people. Your people are your biggest asset out there, your employees.”
This perspective shifts the focus from simply checking boxes for regulatory compliance to creating a genuinely safe environment where your team can thrive. Let’s explore why comprehensive safety programs matter beyond just avoiding penalties.
The direct and indirect costs of a workplace injury or illness can have a significant impact on a dealer's bottom line. Download this guide and save your dealership millions.
The People-First Approach to Safety
The core philosophy is simple but powerful: “If you take care of your people, they’re going to take care of you.” This reciprocal relationship manifests in several ways:
- Increased productivity
- Reduced downtime from incidents
- Higher employee retention
- Greater workplace satisfaction
Even during periods of regulatory change or reduced enforcement, these benefits remain constant. The true north of any safety program should be protecting your team members, not just avoiding citations.
The Real Costs of Workplace Incidents
When safety lapses lead to injuries, the costs extend far beyond immediate medical bills. These expenses fall into two categories:
Direct Costs
- Workers’ compensation
- Insurance claims
- Medical expenses
- OSHA penalties
Indirect Costs
- Lost productivity from absent employees
- Overtime pay for staff covering extra shifts
- Hiring and training replacement workers
- Increased insurance premiums
- Potential civil lawsuits
- Damage to public reputation
These indirect costs often exceed the direct costs by a significant margin. As our expert points out, even in environments with less regulatory enforcement, civil litigation remains a major risk when safety standards aren’t maintained.
The Reputational Impact
Safety incidents don’t just affect your operations—they can permanently damage your dealership’s reputation with:
Customers
When consumers hear about safety incidents at your facility, it affects their perception of your business. As Zach asks, “If I’m a consumer and I see that three people tragically got hurt at that facility, do I want to be a customer of that facility? Probably not.”
Customers want to support businesses that demonstrate care for their employees. Your safety practices are increasingly becoming a part of your brand’s public image.
Potential Employees
Today’s workforce—particularly younger generations entering the job market—places high value on workplace safety and work-life balance. These aren’t separate considerations; safety is an integral part of the work-life equation.
Dealerships with strong safety records and comprehensive programs have a significant advantage in attracting and retaining quality talent in a competitive labor market.
Safety as a Business Strategy
When viewed holistically, a comprehensive safety program isn’t just a compliance requirement or cost center—it’s a strategic business investment that delivers returns across multiple areas:
1. Financial performance through reduced incident costs and insurance premiums
2. Operational efficiency through consistent staffing and reduced disruptions
3. Marketing advantage through enhanced reputation with customers
4. Talent acquisition through appeal to safety-conscious job seekers
5. Risk management through reduced exposure to litigation
Building Your Comprehensive Safety Program
A truly effective safety program goes beyond having a binder of policies on a shelf. It requires:
- Visible leadership commitment
- Adequate resource allocation
- Regular training and education
- Consistent enforcement of safety protocols
- Employee involvement and feedback
- Continuous improvement processes
The Bottom Line
As Zach succinctly summarizes: “Take care of your people. Then they’re going to help take care of your cost, your reputation, all that kind of just rolls downhill from there.”
In the automotive industry, where physical risks are present daily, this people-first approach to safety isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s smart business.
Watch the full video above to hear more insights from our safety expert on building effective dealership safety programs. Need help developing or improving your safety program? Contact KPA today for expert guidance tailored to automotive dealerships.
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