OSHA estimates that workplace injuries and illnesses cost the nation’s businesses $170 billion per year in wasteful and often preventable expenses.
According to OSHA, effective Safety and Health Management Systems (SHMS) have proven to be a decisive factor in reducing the extent and severity of work-related injuries and illnesses—and in reducing injury-related costs. These savings, says OSHA, when properly administered, exceed the cost of implementing and maintaining a workplace SHMS.
Critical Elements of an Effective SHMS
The critical elements of an effective SHMS are:
- Management commitment
- Employee involvement
- Worksite analysis
- Training for employees, supervisors and managers
- Hazard prevention and control
To give you an idea of what’s involved, here’s a brief safety and health management systems checklist:
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.
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- 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 when 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 their root causes.
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.
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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.
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