The best Safety and Health Management Systems (S&HMS) involve every level of the organization, instilling a safety culture that reduces accidents for workers and improves the bottom line for managers. When safety and health are part of the organization and a way of life, everyone wins.
Frequently Asked Questions
We’ll briefly address four common management questions below, and then take a closer look at specific implementation strategies for each.
#1. What Return on Investment can S&HMS programs provide?
- Improved employee morale
- Decreased lost time
- Fewer workplace injuries and illnesses
- Lower insurance costs
- Safety culture adoption
#2. How can safety and health become part of the way my business runs?
- Combine performance standards with S&H standards
- Talk the talk and walk the walk
- Top down support
- Bottom up implementation
#3. What indicators tell me if I’m getting weaker or stronger?
- Statistical reports
- Opinion surveys
- Risk analysis
- Periodic inspections
- Process improvement initiatives
#4. What practices are best for assuring lasting success?
- Obtain management buy-in
- Build trust
- Conduct self-assessments
- Develop a site safety vision
- Develop a system of accountability and measures
- Implement recognition and rewards
- Provide awareness training
- Implement process changes
- Continually measure, communicate results and celebrate successes
Critical Elements Of An Effective Safety And Health Management System
- Employee Involvement
- Worksite Analysis
- Hazard Prevention and Control
- Education for employees, supervisors and managers
Management Commitment And Employee Involvement
- 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
- Conduct regular safety and health meetings involving employees, managers and supervisors
- Assign responsible person(s) to coordinate safety and health activities
- Integrate safety and health into business practices (e.g., purchases, contracts, design and development)
- Involve employees in safety and health related activities (e.g., self-inspections, accident investigations and developing safe practices)
- Recognize employees for safe and healthful work practices
Worksite Analysis
- Evaluate all workplace activities and processes for hazards
- Reevaluate workplace activities whenever there are changes in processes, materials or machinery
- Conduct on-site inspections, identify hazards and take corrective actions
- Provide a hazard reporting system for employees to report unsafe and unhealthful conditions
- Investigate all accidents and near misses to determine root causes
Hazard Prevention And Control
- Eliminate and control workplace hazards (e.g., engineering controls, workstation design and work practices)
- Establish a preventive maintenance program
- Keep employees informed of safety and health activities and conditions
- Plan for emergencies (e.g., create an evacuation plan, train employees and conduct fire drills)
- Record and analyze occupational injuries and illnesses
Training For Employees, Supervisors And Managers
- Provide training on specific safe work practices before an employee begins work
- Provide additional training for new work processes and when accidents and near misses occur
- Provide refresher training on a routine basis
Read more tips about workplace safety on our blog.
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