"New guidelines provided on best practices in safety and health management for construction and general industry."
First, review the guidelines. Second, review the "core elements", third, conduct a "gap analysis", fourth, develop your Goals, Objectives, and Action Plan, and last but certainly not least......train every single employee in SH Mgt. and your goals, objectives, and action plans! Don't wait until mid-year to let everyone know your expectations!!
***NOTE: Your employee's level of commitment directly correlates to the Managers and Supervisors level of commitment and the recognition you give to accomplishments!!
What gets measured gets done, but what gets recognized gets done well!!
Management provides the leadership, vision, and resources needed to implement an effective safety and health program. Management leadership means that business owners, managers, and supervisors make the safety and health program a core organizational value.
By establishing specific goals and objectives, management sets expectations for managers, supervisors, and workers and for the program overall. The goals and objectives should focus on specific actions that will improve workplace safety and health.
Management provides the resources needed to implement the safety and health program, pursue program goals, and address program shortcomings when they are identified. To be effective, any safety and health program needs the meaningful participation of workers. By encouraging workers to participate in the program, management signals that it values their input into safety and health decisions. To participate meaningfully in the program, workers must feel that their input is welcome, their voices will be heard.
Some hazards, such as housekeeping and tripping hazards can and should be fixed as they are found. Fixing hazards on the spot emphasizes the importance of safety and health and takes advantage of a safety leadership opportunity. Hazards can be introduced over time as workstations and processes change, equipment or tools become worn, maintenance is neglected, or housekeeping practices decline. Setting aside time to regularly inspect the workplace for hazards can help identify shortcomings so that they can be addressed before an incident occurs. Many hazards can be identified using common knowledge and available tools. For example, you can easily identify and correct hazards associated with broken stair rails and frayed electrical cords.
Top management demonstrates its commitment to eliminating hazards and to continuously improving workplace safety and health, communicates that commitment to workers, and sets program expectations and responsibilities.
Managers at all levels make safety and health a core organizational value, establish safety and health goals and objectives, provide adequate resources and support for the program, and set a good example.
Worker participation means participation in establishing, operating, evaluating, and improving the safety and health program. All workers at a worksite should participate in all safety activities.
Managers will need to designate a competent person to conduct frequent and regular inspections of the work areas and/or job sites, materials, and equipment.
The newly published SH Mgt. Guidelines will Track leading indicators, such as:
Number and frequency of management walkthroughs
Level of worker participation in program activities
Number of employee safety suggestions
Number of hazards, near misses, and first aid cases reported
Amount of time taken to respond to reports
Number and severity of hazards identified during inspections
Number of workers who have completed required safety and health training
Timely completion of corrective actions after a job site hazard is identified or an incident occurs
Timely completion of planned preventive maintenance activities
Worker opinions about program effectiveness obtained from a safety climate or safety opinion survey
In order to comply with the General Safety & Health Provisions outlined, it is necessary to establish a formal, written safety and health program. In addition, by developing and implementing a written safety and health program our company will qualify for a “Focused Inspection” rather than a “Comprehensive Inspection” should we receive a compliance visit from OSHA.
To raise the level of worker protection on all our projects and to obtain an exemplary safety record, the Safety and Health Management Program was developed with the goal of creating a safety culture that encourages cooperation between all parties of the project and increases participation by craftsmen and their representatives in the everyday safety activities. In addition, by developing and implementing this written safety and health program we will qualify for SHARP.
Experience and research have demonstrated that compliance with the minimum government rules results in the minimum protection of employees with an average safety record. It has been well established that an effective safety and health program is the best way to reduce workplace injuries.
It has been well established that an effective safety and health program is the best way to reduce workplace injuries. The elements of an effective program should include the following:
1. MANAGEMENT LEADERSHIP: Assigns safety and health responsibility and authority to supervisors and employees and holds them accountable.
2. WORKER PARTICIPATION: Workers and their representatives are involved in all aspects of the program—including setting goals, identifying and reporting hazards, investigating incidents, and tracking progress.
3. HAZARD IDENTIFICATION & ASSESSMENT: Identifies current and potential hazards. It includes a thorough baseline survey, to identify unsafe acts and conditions; job hazard analysis (written safe operating procedures for major tasks); a self-inspection program, a system for reporting hazards; accident and incident investigation; and analysis of injuries and illnesses.
4. HAZARD PREVENTION AND CONTROL: Prevention consists of regular maintenance and housekeeping; emergency planning and preparation; first aid; and ready access to emergency care. Control includes machine guards, enclosures, locks, protective equipment, safe work procedures, and placement of personnel so as to minimize hazards.
5. EDUCATION & TRAINING: Train employers, managers, and supervisors on their roles in the program. Employers, managers, and supervisors are responsible for workers' safety, yet sometimes have little training on safety-related concepts and techniques. They may benefit from specific training that allows them to fulfill their leadership roles in the program.All workers are trained to understand how the program works and how to carry out their responsibilities assigned to them under the program. Everyone, from managers through supervisors to employees, about the hazards they may be exposed to, and their identification, prevention, and control. Managers and supervisors also need training in program management (e.g., enforcing rules, conducting drills).
6. PROGRAM EVALUATION & IMPROVEMENT covers control measures and periodic evaluation for effectiveness. Verify that the program is implemented and is operating. Initially and at least annually, employers need to evaluate the program to ensure that it is operating as intended, is effective in controlling identified hazards, and is making progress toward established safety and health goals and objectives.
7. COMMUNICATION AND COORDINATION WITH HOST EMPLOYERS, CONTRACTORS, AND STAFFING AGENCIES: In today's economy, an increasing number of workers are assigned by staffing agencies to work at specific host worksites under the direction and control of the host employer. It is important for the staffing agency and the host employer to communicate and coordinate to provide and maintain a safe work environment for their workers. In other situations, some workers are employed by a host employer and others by a contractor or subcontractor. Safety is enhanced if employers establish mechanisms to coordinate their efforts and communicate effectively to afford all workers equal protection against hazards.
Need help setting up your safety and health management program?
Author: Deborah Grow, Safety Consultant
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