Which of the following office protocols meets OSHA regulations and standards
"The discipline that goes into a safety program will spill over into production and quality control. People will be more aware of safety and how they do their jobs. We believe it will work to our benefit with production and quality." Show Ben Church, Kaiser Industries Safety Management SystemsA safety and health system for your businessAs an employer, it is your responsibility to maintain a safe and healthy workplace. A safety and health management system, or safety program, can help you focus your efforts at improving your work environment. Whatever you call it, your plan describes what the people in your organization do to prevent injuries and illnesses at your workplace. Your organization will have its own unique system, reflecting your way of doing business, the hazards of your work, and how you manage the safety and health of your employees:
What's most important is that your system works for your organization. It's up to you to decide how best to operate a safe and healthy workplace, and to put your plan into practice. What makes a successful system?A successful system will be part of your overall business operation, as important as the other things you do to succeed in business. Successful safety and health systems have the following in place:
Take a look at your safety and health system. Some components may be strong and others may need to be strengthened. The following sections describe these key factors and give ideas about how to make them part of your program. And remember, if you operate one of many thousands of small businesses in Maine, your system can be simple and largely informal. Use the following as a practical guide and adapt it to your needs. Because small businesses often cannot afford in-house safety and health professionals, you may need help setting up your system. You can call SafetyWorks! --- our services are free and confidential. Your workers' compensation insurance provider, your industry organization, or a private consultant may also be able to help. I. Make a commitmentPut as much energy into your commitment to safety and health as you put into any other important part of your business. Make sure to include workplace safety and health in your business plan and integrate it into all facets of the business.
II. Involve employeesIn a safe and healthy workplace, employees have a stake in the success of the program --- safety and health is everyone's responsibility. Actively encourage employee involvement if you want your program to succeed. Hold people accountable and makes sure everyone does their part.
"… we’ve had the employees involved with safety. They are aware of what’s going on and at this plant there is a culture of people who constantly are looking out for each other and if they see that someone is doing something unsafe or risky, they are going to say something to them. They are not afraid to go directly to that person and say, you should have your hair tied back, or your safety glasses on, or you shouldn’t really be reaching into there." Ken David, Pride Manufacturing III. Identify and control hazardsBefore you can control hazards you need to know what the hazards are. Here are some ways to identify safety and health hazards:
Once you know the hazards, you can decide how to control them.
IV. Comply with regulationsEmployers must identify the OSHA regulations that apply in their workplaces and comply with them. SafetyWorks! classes and consultations can help with this.
V. Train EmployeesTrain personnel about the hazards they may be exposed to at work and how to protect themselves. Keep records of all training. Provide:
VI. Support a culture of safetyWorkers hold safety as a value; they actively care about themselves and others. Mutual respect is the norm.
VII. Continually improve your systemReview your program's strengths and weaknesses. Does it accurately reflect how you want to manage safety and health? |