|
SAFETY SOLUTIONS: Safety & Health Program Check-up
Everyday, workplace injuries, illnesses and fatalities
cause immeasurable pain and suffering to employees
and their families. Recent estimates indicate
that workplace injuries and illnesses cost our nation’s
businesses $170 billion per year in wasteful and often
preventable expenses.
Effective Safety and Health Management Systems
(SHMS) have proven to be a decisive factor in reducing the
extent and severity of work-related injuries and illnesses.
SHMS can result in reduced injury-related costs. These
savings, when properly administered, can exceed the cost
of a workplace SHMS.
Critical Elements of an Effective SHMS
The critical elements of an effective SHMS are:
- Management commitment and employee involvement
- Worksite analysis
- Hazard prevention and control
- Training for employees, supervisors and managers
Here is a checklist for you to use to evaluate your program: -
Develop and communicate a safety and health policy to
all employees.
- Demonstrate management commitment by instilling
accountability for safety and health, obeying safety
rules and reviewing accident reports.
- Assign responsible person(s) to coordinate safety and
health activities.
- Integrate safety and health into business practices
(e.g., purchases, contracts, design and development).
- Eliminate and control workplace hazards (e.g., engineering
controls, workstation design and work practices).
- Establish a preventive maintenance program.
- Train your supervisors in the OSHA 30 hour safety program
and train your employees in the OSHA 10 hour
safety course.
- Plan for emergencies (e.g., create an evacuation plan,
train employees and conduct fire drills).
- Evaluate all workplace activities and processes for hazards.
Publications
OSHA has many publications, including specific topics
for small businesses that are available or can be ordered
online.
Additional resources of information on safety-related
topics and programs:
National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health
www.cdc.gov/niosh
Canadian Center for Occupational Health & Safety
www.ccohs.ca
National Safety Council
www.nsc.org
American Society of Safety Engineers
www.asse.org
Remember that your accident and injury log must be
up-to-date and posted where all employees can see it.
Free checklists and other training programs, are available
for download on my website at www.podojilconsulting.com, click on industry links and it will give you everything
you need to improve your program.
It’s a new year so please stay safe. If you would like to
see a particular article on safety, health or the environment,
E-mail me at jpodojil@podojilconsulting.com and
we will write it for you.
For more information, click on the author link at the top of the page.
|
