Safety Programs Can Protect Your Employees and Your Business
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), workplace safety programs are important because they help reduce accidents, injuries, and exposure to potential hazards., creating a safer work environment.
An effective workplace safety program will assess the workplace for potential hazards, develop control measures to reduce or eliminate those hazards, and establish procedures for monitoring the effectiveness of the control measures. Depending on the size and complexity of your business, you may be able to develop your own workplace safety program or you may need to hire a consultant to help you. Regardless of how you develop your program, there are certain elements that should be included. In this blog post, we will take a look at some of the key components of an effective workplace safety program.
Workplace Hazard Assessment
The first step in developing a workplace safety program is to assess the workplace for potential hazards. This assessment should be conducted by a team of people with knowledge of the worksite, the work being performed, and the potential hazards involved. The assessment should include a review of past accidents and incidents, as well as a walk-through of the worksite to identify any potential hazards. Once potential hazards have been identified, they should be prioritized based on their potential to cause harm.
Control Measures
After potential hazards have been identified and prioritized, control measures should be developed to reduce or eliminate those hazards. Control measures can include engineering controls (e.g., ventilation systems), administrative controls (e.g., job rotation), or personal protective equipment (e.g., hard hats). The type of control measure(s) implemented will depend on the nature of the hazard and the level of risk involved.
Monitoring Procedures
Once control measures have been put in place, it is important to establish procedures for monitoring their effectiveness. Monitoring procedures should be established for each type of hazard controlled by the workplace safety program. For example, if your program includes engineering controls such as ventilation systems, you will need procedures for monitoring air quality on a regular basis. If personal protective equipment is part of your program, you will need procedures for ensuring that employees are properly trained in its use and that it is being used correctly. Periodic audits should also be conducted to verify that all aspects of the workplace safety program are being implemented as intended.
A well-designed workplace safety program can help reduce accidents and injuries in the workplace. While there is no legal requirement to have a workplace safety program in place, OSHA strongly recommends that businesses implement one as part of their commitment to creating a safe and healthy work environment for employees. When developing a workplace safety program, it is important to include a hazard assessment, control measures, and monitoring procedures. By taking these steps, you can help create a safer work environment for your employees while also protecting your business from potential liabilities.
WHR Associates is a full service Professional Employer Organization. We take on full liability for your company’s workers compensation. Our workplace safety, risk mitigation, loss control specialists, and claims department are trained and experienced in the industry. If you want to know your business is fully protected, but don’t have the time or energy to become an expert in every potential liability, we’ll handle your employment liabilities, payroll taxes, and benefits compliance, so you can protect your business.
