DID YOU KNOW ? These Are the Cornerstones to a Successful Safety Management System by Roger M. Paveza, CRIS; Vista Safety Consulting A “successful” safety management system can mean several things; however, the first thing I always look to ask is if your program is truly effective or have you just been lucky? By consistently following the below cornerstones of safety, it can lead you down the path for a successful safety management program, OSHA compliance, and injury prevention. One study of small employers found that workers’ compensation claims fell dramatically after adopting programs similar to those described in these recommended practices.
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Another potential benefit can be when employers are faced with possible OSHA violations and are looking to shift blame to an unruly employee - typically referred to as the “unpreventable employee misconduct” defense. In rudimentary explanation, an employer is not relieved of responsibility simply because an employee did not follow the rules. In order to even attempt to assert this defense effectively, an employer would have to show complete effectiveness (i.e. consistent documentation) with all below cornerstones.
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Safety Programming / Health & Safety Manual The blueprint of your safety management system starts with your health and safety manual. As several OSHA regulations require a “written safety program/plan,” ensure that policies and work rules contain clear, specific requirements and prohibitions designed to prevent unsafe conditions and violations of applicable OSHA standards. Some key ingredients
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