Learn How to Manage Safety and Health in the Workplace

As an employer, it is your responsibility to maintain a safe and healthy workplace. One way to do that is by initiating a safety and health management system to concentrate your organization’s efforts on creating a safe work environment.

While your system may involve listening and responding to workers’ concerns in an industry with few risks, manufacturing is an inherently hazardous industry that may require more policies and procedures to keep everyone safe.

The most crucial aspect of any safety and health system is that it is designed to work for your particular company. Here are a few suggestions for making that happen:

How do you ensure the success of your system?

Strong safety and health systems have the following elements in place:

  • Managers and supervisors who are dedicated to making the safety system successful
  • Workers who are directly involved in the program
  • A program to keep hazards under control
  • Compliance with OSHA regulations
  • Regular safety training
  • Effective two-way communication
  • Ongoing improvements to the system

Review your company’s safety and health program, and see how it matches up with the ideal system. Are you doing well in each of the program’s components, or could some of them be improved? Go down the list and see how your organization looks now and make the necessary adjustments.

  • Get everyone on board: First and foremost, your managers must be committed to the safety and health initiative. Let them know that you are going to allocate your resources to protect everyone in the company and back it up with a policy that stresses the importance that you are placing on safety.
  • Involve your workers: Set up a health and safety committee comprised of a cross-section of the business. Encourage input and feedback from your workers; they are typically more aware of safety issues and potential solutions than managers. Set safety goals, and keep everyone accountable. And set up an easy-to-follow system for reporting hazards, injuries, illnesses, and close calls.
  • Identify and control hazards: The first step in controlling workplace hazards is to find them. Start by reviewing all records of accidents, injuries, illnesses, and close calls. Then look at OSHA logs, first aid logs, workers’ compensation reports, and complaints. Also, go through inspection reports from enforcement inspections, insurance surveys, or consultations. After you have identified the hazards, you can determine how to control and correct them.
  • Learn and comply with OSHA regulations: Familiarize yourself with all OSHA regulations that apply to your industry and then comply with them.
  • Provide training: Give your people the safety training they need to protect themselves. Be sure to keep the records of all training sessions. Give all new workers a safety orientation, which includes the company’s safety regulations and emergency procedures. Check the OSHA standards for specific training requirements.

Need more help in creating a safer workplace?

Safety issues, recruiting, and hiring can be a challenge. Let us help you with them. Contact the professionals at Select Staff, a top recruitment agency in Dallas, Texas, and throughout the state.

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