06 May PRODUCING AN OSHA HEALTH AND SAFETY PROGRAM – Part 1
OSHA suggests that Safety and Health (S&H) programs be divided into four segments:
- Management leadership and employee involvement;
- Worksite survey;
- Hazard prevention and control;
- Personnel training.
These four elements should be carefully planned, implemented, and filed. During the next four newsletters, each element will be discussed. The readers can then determine if their S&H program is on par.
Management Leadership and Employee Involvement
Management must commit necessary resources to ensure the safety and health of employees. The highest level of management ensures that a written policy is formulated and executed with the help of line employees. The S&H Plan must be clearly written, and responsibilities must be assigned. Management must ensure that job evaluations include S&H issues. At least annually, management, with employee input, will evaluate established goals and action plans to ensure that goals are being met.
A checklist for this element would include the following:
- Worksite policy (well communicated to employees and visitors);
- Annual goals, action plans, and evaluation results;
- Evaluation of job descriptions including S&H responsibilities;
- Inclusion of S&H responsibilities in performance evaluations;
- Annual budget for S&H;
- S&H orientation plan for site contractors;
- Evidence of employee involvement.
Let us know if we can help you in your safety and health program.