Get serious about soliciting safety concerns of workers
Get serious about soliciting safety concerns of workers
In order to be recognized by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) as a Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP) star site, companies must demonstrate a high degree of employee involvement in safety. According to OSHA, VPP companies achieve average injury rates 50% below the Bureau of Labor Statistics average.
"Everybody has ideas that can not only improve operational performance, but also the safety of fellow workers and that of contractors and visitors," says Kent Baughn, senior manager of health and safety at Wheelabrator, a Hampton, NH-based waste management company. Using this approach, Baughn says the company's injury rates "continue to go down year after year."
According to Trish Rees, MSN, COHN-S, occupational health manager at Omaha Steaks in Omaha, NE, "some of the least expensive and most effective ergonomic improvements have been suggestions from employees who are performing the job."
See Omaha Steaks "Safety Concern and Suggestion Notice" (PDF)
Based on employee suggestions, rack heights were lowered, a cleaning rack was developed to hold heavy equipment, and ergonomic floor mats were installed.
If any of Omaha Steaks' employees have a safety concern, this is reported to a safety specialist, who is responsible for ensuring that all safety guidelines are followed. "They also field safety suggestions and work on the implementation of all safety improvements," says Rees. "We currently have a safety specialist at each of our plant locations and our distribution center."
During a Safety Week, raffles and games reinforce the importance of workplace safety, with a contest for the children of employees. "The children are invited to submit safety-themed posters for a chance to win prizes," says Rees. "Every child who submits a poster receives a gift bag of prizes. We find out the children's ages ahead of time to make sure the gift bags are age-appropriate." Last year, 165 children participated at the company's four plants and its distribution center.
"The posters are then displayed," says Rees. "In addition, we bring in special treats throughout the week like frozen yogurt."
Here are four novel strategies to involve workers in safety:
1. Have a "pre-shift" meeting.
During this meeting, employees at L'Oréal USA's Solon Manufacturing Facility in Solon, OH can bring up safety questions or concerns with supervisors. "Employees then complete a daily safety check before starting their line," says Bill Yeager, assistant vice president of engineering and security, hygiene and environment. "They are empowered to delay start-up until all issues have been resolved."
2. Give workers a way to report concerns online.
A "safety icon" was put on the home page of all computers used by L'Oréal's employees. When the icon is clicked on, employees can submit concerns directly to a safety manager anonymously or with their name attached.
3. Ask employees to tell you one thing they did to make the workplace safer.
Wheelabrator's employees carry a little book with them, and they write down one thing they did to promote safety on a given day, which they share during a meeting with their shift supervisor. "Safety is not just talked about once a week or month here. For us, it's a daily interaction," says Baughn.
Each of the company's 21 plants picks one of the employee responses every week to send to upper management for review. The top three are recognized in a weekly report, and the very best response is recognized with a lunch outing or a $20 gift certificate to Home Depot.
4. Do a safety check before the job.
"We give our employees as much time as it takes to make good decisions and work safely, but we require them, before they start any job, to ask three questions," says Baughn. These are: Do I know how to do the job safely? Am I prepared to do it safely? And, can I do it safely?"
The idea is to give the worker time to organize his or her thoughts and refer to written procedures if necessary. "You may have done the job 100 times, but if you take your mind off what they are doing you may get hurt," says Baughn. "The expectation for our plants is for people not to get hurt."
SOURCES/RESOURCE
For more information about involving employees in safety, contact:
Kent Baughn, Senior Manager of Health and Safety, Wheelabrator, Hampton, NH. Phone: (603) 929-3000. Fax: (603) 929-3315 E-mail: [email protected].
Trish Rees, MSN, COHN-S, Occupational Health Manager, Omaha Steaks, Omaha, NE. Phone: (402) 593-4224. E-mail: [email protected].
Bill Yeager, Assistant Vice President of Engineering and Security, Hygiene and Environment, Professional Products, L'Oréal USA, Solon, OH. Phone: (440) 542-5404. Fax: (440) 542-4890. E-mail: [email protected]
For more information about the Voluntary Protection Programs (VPPs), call the Occupational Safety & Health Administration's Office of Partnerships and Recognition at (202) 693-2213 or your regional VPP manager. To find that manager, go to www.osha.gov/vpp. Under "Program Information," select "VPP manager at your OSHA Regional Office."
In order to be recognized by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) as a Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP) star site, companies must demonstrate a high degree of employee involvement in safety. According to OSHA, VPP companies achieve average injury rates 50% below the Bureau of Labor Statistics average.Subscribe Now for Access
You have reached your article limit for the month. We hope you found our articles both enjoyable and insightful. For information on new subscriptions, product trials, alternative billing arrangements or group and site discounts please call 800-688-2421. We look forward to having you as a long-term member of the Relias Media community.