How Should a Safety and Health Program be Designed?
Safety programs are virtually demanded by OSHA. It is foolish to try to run a business without proper safeguards and controls --an effective safety plan is one of those key safeguards.
OSHA recommends a four-point program for workplace safety and health. The guidelines below are based on that program design. Basically, you need to concern yourself with those types of accidents and health hazard exposures that could happen in your workplace.
Because each workplace is different, your program is different from one that your neighbor or competitor might use. While the details may vary, there are four basic elements that are always found in workplaces with a good accident prevention program.
The key to a successful plan is to see it as a part of your business operation and to see it reflected in all your work. The basic elements of a safety plan are:
- The manager or management team leads the way, especially by setting policy, assigning and supporting responsibility, setting an example and involving employees.
- The worksite is continually analyzed to identify all hazards and potential hazards.
- Methods for preventing or controlling existing or potential hazards are put in place and maintained.
- Managers, supervisors and employees are trained to understand and deal with worksite hazards.
Commitment from Management and Employees
An effective safety plan needs management commitment and employee involvement.
Management commitment. As the owner or manager, your attitude towards job safety and health will be reflected by your employees. If you are not interested in preventing employee injury and illness, nobody else is likely to be.
Personal concern. At all times, demonstrate your personal concern for employee safety and health and the priority you place on them in your workplace. Your policy must be clearly set. Only you can show its importance through your own actions.
Employee involvement. Demonstrate to your employees the depth of your commitment by involving them in planning and carrying out your efforts. If you seriously involve your employees in identifying and resolving safety and health problems, they will commit their insights and energy to achieve the goals and objectives of your program.
Safety committee. Consider forming a joint employee-management safety committee. This can assist you in starting a program and will help maintain interest in the program once it is operating. Committees can be an excellent way of communicating safety and health information. If you have few employees, consider rotating them so that all can have an active part in the safety and health programming.
Actions to Take
- Post your own policy on the importance of worker safety and health next to the OSHA workplace poster where all employees can see it.
- Hold meetings with all your employees to communicate that policy to them and to discuss your objectives for safety and health for the rest of the year. Commit to an annual safety meeting to showcase activities and recognize achievement.
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Safety programs are virtually demanded by OSHA.