20 Aug PRODUCING AN OSHA HEALTH AND SAFETY PLAN – PART 3 OF 4
This is the third of four parts concerning producing a Safety and Health (S&H)Program under OSHA guidelines. The first article concerned management leadership and employee involvement. In the second article, we discussed conducting a worksite survey. This third article will concern hazard prevention and control
Management ensures that hazards are eliminated or controlled, protective barriers such as machine guards and personal protective equipment (PPE) protect employees, and exposure to hazards are controlled administratively (such as more frequent breaks and job rotation). Management ensures that the worksite and all machinery is safe and well-maintained, even if contract employees are required for proper maintenance.
All employees, including all levels of management, are held accountable for obeying site safety and health rules. The following four step disciplinary policy is an example, but any policy should be written: oral warning, written reprimand, three days away from work, dismissal.
Visitors and contractors must also follow these rules. Visitors who violate the rules should be escorted from the site.
Appropriate agencies such as the fire department are kept apprised and act proactively with management by having input to the plan. The written plan should include emergency drills.
All work at the site must be assessed to determine the standards that apply. The following are examples of written S&H programs that should be implemented, including training. Note that this list may not be complete:
Hazard Communication, Hearing Conservation, Bloodborne Pathogens, Confined Space, Lockout/Tagout, Emergency Evacuation, Required PPE.
To help implement this portion of a S&H program, some references include:
Preventive Maintenance Schedule, Disciplinary Program, Site Rules, Maintenance Records, Medical Records, Emergency Procedures, Reports of Near Misses.