Effective Safety Committees Make them work for you

Transcription

1 Effective Safety Committees Make them work for you Gary Rubell Presented By: C M C Compliance Matters Consulting

2 Rate your Safety Committee 1. Motivated, get things done, cornerstone of your safety program, focus on problem solving and safety promotion, loved by all. 2. They meet, do some things okay, have trouble staying on track, basic function is to review accidents and conduct inspections. 3. Have not accomplished anything of value in the past year, bored, on the verge of breaking up. 4. Don t meet anymore, in need of life support or a mercy killing. 5. Don t have a committee at all.

3 The Challenge With today s corporate trend of streamlining and multi-tasking, Management level employees are required to wear several hats. Positions dedicated solely to safety are becoming less common. The responsibilities of safety is being combined into other functions such as Human Resources, Operations or Production Managers. This makes the use of Safety Committees extremely important.

4 A Safety Committee is An integral element of a comprehensive Safety and Health Program. It serves to demonstrate top Management s direction and commitment to Safety as a priority of the organization.

5 Purpose The purpose of Safety Committees is to bring workers and Management together in a nonadversarial, cooperative effort to promote safety and health. Safety Committees will assist you in making continuous improvement to your safety and health program

6 Goal Increase safety awareness Promote safety in the workplace Build enthusiasm for safety programs Reduce and Prevent Injuries

7 Some of the functions a safety committee can assist with: Regulatory Compliance Emergency Planning (Earthquake, Fire, Workplace Violence) Training (OSHA, General Safety, etc.) Program Development and Implementation Ergonomics Inspections Job Safety / Hazard Analysis Accident Investigation Reviews Employee Safety Promotion

8 Safety Committees Safety Committees have the ability to make an immediate positive impact on a safety program. If managed properly, Safety Committees can be one of the biggest time savers for a Safety Manager. Act as Liaison between Management and Employees Touches all levels of the organization

9 Benefits Organizations Fewer accidents and lost work time Promotes involvement at all levels Delegates work to more employees Accomplishes more safety projects Increased productivity Saves money

10 Benefits Employees Creates a safer work environment Better communication Increases safety awareness Enhanced employee morale

11 Myths... Safety Committees... Relieves Managers and Supervisors of their responsibility for safety. Takes the place of other safety programs. Involves only employees.

12 What Makes Committees Fail No direction No successes Frustration Boredom Why are we here? This is a waste of my time!! No support

13 What Makes Committees Fail This is a big no-no: Asking your safety committee members to be the Safety Police

14 Possible Barriers to Success Lack of... Management commitment Committee expertise or training Teamwork Leadership Direction and goals Follow-up Focus on specific issues Preparation for meetings

15 Getting Started Creating a Basic Foundation for Success

16 Membership Cornerstone of an Effective Committee All employees should have the opportunity to participate Representation from all departments, locations, operations, divisions, including office staff Membership should be 5 to 15 (5 to 7 is optimal) Designee plus alternative Membership should be on a volunteer basis Rotate members Assign specific responsibilities to chairperson, secretary, and members.

17 Should Management Pros be Involved? Shows buy in Improves Internal Communication Causes more effective deployment of resources Management knows why and how the committee came up with the idea

18 Should Management be Involved? Cons Intimidating to some employees Management gives little support Management shoots down all ideas Always concerned about $$$$$$$$$$$$

19 Responsibilities - Chairperson Organize agenda items, speakers, and other related materials for meeting Forward recommendations to appropriate management personal Prepare periodic loss analysis Follow-up to past recommendations and report status Conduct meetings in an orderly fashion

20 Responsibilities - Secretary Prepare meeting agenda and notify members of date, location, and time Gather agenda items and related materials Roll call of members Record minutes

21 Responsibilities - Members Attend all meetings and actively participate Set a positive example for safe performance Conduct inspections according to schedule Participate in accident investigations and review Report unsafe acts or conditions

22 Committee Structure Determine frequency of meetings Pre-schedule meeting dates Limit to one hour Prepare agenda Record and distribute minutes Appoint sub-committees when needed

23 Meeting Progression Call to order Roll call by secretary Introduce visitors Review minutes of previous meeting Conduct business Old New Sub-committee reports Review accident data Review inspection reports Adjournment and schedule next meeting

24 Functions of the Committee Provide a forum for formulation and discussion of health and safety practices. Provide a channel through which policies can be recommended for adoption by management. Generate ideas for improving health and safety. Stimulate interest of employees. Review and update safety training plans.

25 Functions of the Committee Make recommendations on the use of protective clothing and equipment. Develop safe work practices / JSA s / JHA s Examine accident reports and suggest prevention techniques. Conduct regular safety inspections.

26 Successful Safety Committee Basics Show up on time Finish on time Start with and agenda and stick with it This is not a complaint session

27 Keys to Success Visibility / Recognition Post their names Give them stature Responsibility Quick wins Reasonable attainable goals Zero accidents is not a reasonable goal.

28 Keys to Success Training Don t assume everyone has the same skills Conflict resolution Communication Skills Meeting Management Skills Time management Organization Hazard Recognition

29 Keys to Success Assign Tasks Expect Completion Accountability Establish effective problem solving methods How do they make recommendations? Who do they issue them to? Management needs to respond immediately, even if suggestion is being denied.

30 Keys to Success If your safety committees are being used as solely inspection or accident review committees, you are creating an environment for failure. Be Creative!!!

31 Safety Committee Ideas Safety Promotion Awareness Posters Envelope stuffers Incentive Programs Contests / Awards Get everyone involved Make it fun

32 Safety Program / Accident Reduction Program Development Review policy and procedures Participate in Accident Investigation reviews. Committee should sign off on all accident investigations Accident Prevention Target Key areas Ergonomics Training JSA s / JHA s

33 Accident Review Process Step beyond accident investigation Injured employee appears before the committee Or subcommittee Not on trial but some degree of Heat Brainstorming Evaluate effectiveness of supervisor investigation

34 Some Tools for the Safety Committee Give the Safety Committee access to: Phone Computer (Internet) Reference material Digital Camera Outside resources And most of all, TIME

35 Spice up a Meeting Bring in outside speaker Hold safety breakfast Safety awards presentation Designate monthly safety topic Back Injury Prevention Slips, Trips, and Falls Vehicle Safety Personal Protection Equipment

36 Outside Resources Get the most from the resources available to you: Consulting Firm Insurance Brokers Fire Department National Safety Council Networking Seminars

37 Consultants / Brokers Do you have outside people meet with your Safety Committee? Consultants and Brokers Set a service plan to what you need. Use them for: Training Inspection work Program and regulatory reviews

38 Last Safety Committee Rule Make It Fun!!!!!!!!!!

39 Thank You Gary S. Rubell, CSS Risk Services Manager Direct: Office: