How to Start an Industrial Safety Program

Workplace accidents cause damage to your organization. People get hurt or killed. Damage occurs to your facilities or equipment. The resulting financial impact is both immediate and long-term when resulting insurance premium increases are added to settlement and repair costs. These funds are best allocated to expanding your business instead of managing your safety losses. You can control the negative impact on your organization through the implementation of an effective industrial safety program.

Instructions

• 1

  Involve your company's top management in the successful implementation of an industrial safety program. If you are unable to obtain their commitment to the program, the rest of your efforts are sure to fail. Plan a kickoff meeting by doing the necessary research to demonstrate that an industrial safety program is critical to the company's financial well-being. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration and National Institute of Safety and Health are treasure troves of convincing evidence demonstrating the benefits of an industrial safety and health program.

• 2

  Create a written policy statement, with the approval of your top managers, that includes the company's commitment to the safety and health of the employees, their families, your customers and the environment. Respect for all areas of the workplace and surrounding communities from the management will instill the same in your employees.

• 3

  Create a safety team that is comprised of a cross-section of the company's internal departments. Hazards can exist anywhere from the front door of the office to the shipping door and beyond, extending even to your customer's facilities. It is important to have committed sets of eyes who can tend to any issues that exist within any department.

• 4

  Award responsibility for creation and management of the safety program to an employee with a background in industrial safety. Additionally, this person should have more than just the educational requirements. The safety director should be someone who can convey a passion and commitment to the health and safety of everyone in the plant.

• 5

  Prepare a company safety manual that details all the procedures necessary to maximize safety for the workplace. Your manual needs to detail the responsibilities for all employees and their daily activities. Perform a self-assessment audit to detect the areas which need to be addressed with documented procedures. Be prepared to enforce these rules and regulations. Reward positive conditions and actions so your safety team serves as more than a "police force" within the company.

• 6

  Require active participation in varying degrees of all employees. Encourage them through training and awareness activities. Stress how a culture of safety awareness benefits everyone both personally and professionally. The money you save by minimizing and eliminating workplace accidents goes right to the company's bottom line. This can provide financial incentives for safety activities and perhaps even raises or bonuses for everyone in the company. Always focus on and communicate the positive aspects of the industrial safety and health program.