4-Point Safety System , Part 2: Worksite Analysis

For this discussion we will focus on the second point of the four point safety system:  Worksite Analysis. 

1. MANAGEMENT COMMITMENT AND EMPLOYEE INVOLVEMENT
2. WORKSITE ANALYSIS
3. HAZARD PREVENTION AND CONTROL
4. TRAINING FOR EMPLOYEES, SUPERVISORS AND MANAGERS

A successful safety and health program depends on an accurate identification of all the hazards and potential hazards in your workplace. This is an ongoing process that includes routine self-inspections.  Listed below are several actions to put into action at your worksite.  Try to implement these actions over the next four to six weeks.

• Request a consultation visit from your state on-site Consultation Program covering both safety and health to get a full survey of the hazards that exist in your workplace and those that could develop. You can also contract for such services from expert private consultants if you prefer.
• Establish a way to get professional advice when you make changes to procedures or equipment, to ensure that the changes are not introducing new hazards into your workplace. Find ways to keep current on newly recognized hazards in your industry.
• Periodically review with employees each job, analyzing it step-by-step to see if there are any hidden hazards in the equipment or procedures.
• Set up a self-inspection system to check your hazard controls and evaluate any new hazards.
• Make sure your employees feel comfortable in alerting you or another member of management when they see things that look dangerous or out of place.
• Learn how to conduct a thorough investigation when things go wrong. This will help you develop ways to prevent recurrences. Extensive information can be found on OSHA’s website under “Accident Investigation” in the index.
• Review several years of injury or illness records to identify patterns that can help you devise strategies to improve your safety and health program. Periodically review several months of experience to determine if any new patterns are developing.

Next week our discussion will focus on Hazard Prevention and Control.  For more information refer to www.osha.gov.

This entry was posted on Monday, August 31st, 2009 at 7:45 am and is filed under Workplace Compliance. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.