OSHA’s recently issued Recommended Practices for Safety and Health Practices underscores the importance of not only having a comprehensive, written safety program, but also making sure that workers are involved in the process.
The agency describes an effective program as one that emphasizes top-level ownership, participation by employees, and a “find and fix” approach to workplace hazards.
The Find and Fix approach to workplace hazards refers to both Hazard Identification and Control. Because of the wide variety of site conditions, these two core elements should be implemented on a site-specific basis in order to effectively detect and correct hazards.
Says the agency, “Workers are often best positioned to identify safety and health concerns and program shortcomings, such as emerging job site hazards, unsafe conditions, close calls/near misses, and actual incidents. By encouraging reporting and following up promptly on all reports, employers can address issues before someone gets hurt or becomes ill.”
OSHA also emphasizes that contractors can create a safety and health program using a number of simple steps including: training workers on how to identify and control hazards; inspecting the jobsite with workers to identify problems with equipment and materials; and developing responses to possible emergency scenarios in advance.
“The recommendations outlined in this document will help contractors prevent injuries and illnesses on their construction sites and make their companies more profitable,” said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health Dr. David Michaels.
Working with employees to implement a program can offer other benefits including improvements in production and quality; greater employee morale; improved employee recruiting and retention; and a more favorable image and reputation among customers, suppliers and the community.
To create a more robust safety program or ensure that your own safety program is up to standard, contact our offices at Diversified Safety Services.
