25 Attributes of Excellence of a Safety and Health Management Program

25 Attributes of Excellence of a Safety and Health Management Program

1.    Written and Health Policy

a)    There is a policy that promotes safety and health.
b)    The policy is available in writing.
c)    The policy is straight forward and absolutely clear.
d)    Senior management supports the policy.
e)    The policy can be easily explained or paraphrased by other within the workforce.
f)    The safety and health policy is expressed in the context of other organizational values.
g)    The policy statement goes beyond compliance to address the safety behavior of all members of
        the organization.
h)    The safety and health policy guides all employees in making a decision in favor of safety and
        health when apparent conflicts arise with other values and priorities.

2.    Clear Safety and Health Goals and Objective Set and Communicated

a)    A set of safety and health goal exists in writing.
b)    The goal relate directly to the safety and health policy or vision.
c)    The goals incorporate the essence of” a positive and supportive safety system integrated into the workplace culture” into its language.
d)    The goals are supported by senior management and can be easily explained or paraphrased by other within the workplace.
e)    Objectives exits which are designed to achieve the goals.
f)    The objectives related to deficiencies on the Form 33 or on a comparable assessment tool.
g)    The objectives are clearly assigned to responsible individual(s).
h)     A measurement system exits which reliably indicates progress on objective toward the goal.
i)    The measurement system is consistently used to manage work on objectives.
j)    Other can easily explain the objective within the workplace.
k)    The workforce knows measures used to track objective progress.
l)    Members of the workforce are active participant in the objectives process.

3.    Management Leadership

a)    The positive influence of management is evident in all elements of the safety and health program.
b)    Members of the workforce perceive management to be exercising positive leadership.
c)    Members of the workforce can give example of management’s positive leadership.

4.    Authority and Resources for safety and Health  authority

a)    Authority to meet assigned responsibilities exits for all personnel.
b)     Authority is granted in writing.
c)    Authority is exclusively within the control of the individual holding the responsibility.
d)      Personnel believe they actually have the authority granted to them.
e)    Personnel understand how to exercise the authority granted to them.
f)    Personnel have the will to exercise the authority granted to them.
g)    Responsibilities are being met appropriately and on time. 
Resources
a)    Adequate resources (personnel, methods, equipment, and funds) to meet Responsibilities are available to all personnel.
b)    Necessary resources are exclusively within the control of the individual holding the responsibility.
c)    All personnel are effective applying resources in order to meet responsibilities. 

5.    Accountability

a)    All personnel are held accountable for meeting their safety and health Responsibilities.
b)    Methods exits for monitoring performance of Responsibilities.
c)    Failure to meet assigned responsibilities is addressed and results in appropriate coaching and /or negative consequences.
d)    Personnel meeting or exceeding Responsibilities are appropriately reinforced for their behavior with positive consequences.
e)    Data related to key elements of safety  and health performance are accumulated and displayed within the workplace to inform all personnel of progress being made.
f)    Accountability data is used by individual and teams to revise goal and objective so as to facilitate continues improvement in safety and health.

6.    Management Example

a)    All managers know and understand the safety and health rules of the safe behaviors they expect from others.
b)    Managers throughout the organization constitution follow the rules and behavior expectations set for others in the workforce as a matter of personnel practices.
c)    Members of the workforce perceive management to be consistently setting positive examples and can illustrate why they hold these positive perceptions.
d)    Members of management at all levels consistently address the safety behavior of others by coaching and correcting poor behavior and positively reinforcing good behavior.
e)    Members of the workforce credit management with establishing and maintaining positive safety values in the organization through their personal example  and attention to the behavior of others.

7.    Company- Specific Work Rules

a)    The rules are clearly written.
b)    The rules relate to the safety and health policy.
c)    The rules address potential hazards.
d)    Safe rules are understood and followed as a results of training and accountability.
e)    Top management supports work rules as a condition of employment.
f)    Methods exists for monitoring performance.
g)    All personnel including managers are held accountable to follow the rules.
h)    Employees have significant input to the rules.
i)    Workers have authority to refuse unsafe work.
j)    Workers are allowed access to information needed to make informed decisions.
k)    Documented observations demonstrate that employees at all levels are adhering to safe work rules.

8.    Employee Involvement

a)    Employees accept personal responsibility for ensuring a safe and health workplace.
b)    The employer provides opportunities and mechanism(s) for employees to influence safety and health program design and operation.
c)    There is evidence of management support of employee safety and health interventions.
d)    Employees have a substantial impact on the design and operation of the safety and health program.
e)    There are multiple avenues for employee’s participation.
f)    The avenues are well known, understood, and utilized by employees.
g)    The avenues and mechanisms for involvement are effective in reducing accidents and enhancing safe behaviors.

9.    Structured Safety and Health Forum That Encourages Employee Involvement

a)    A written Charter or SOP outlines the safety committee structure and other forums.
b)    There is a structured safety  and health forum in the goals.
c)    Meeting are planned, using an agenda and remain focused on safety and health.
d)    They hold regularly scheduled safety committee and/or crew meetings.
e)    Employees throughout the company are aware of the forums.
f)    Employees on the committee are actively participating and contributing to discussion (also at meetings).
g)    Minute are kept and made available to all employees.
h)    Upper management actively participates in committee and crew meetings.
i)    A method exits for systematic tracking of recommendations, progress  reports resolution, and outcomes.
j)    Employees are involved in selecting topics.
k)    Participation in the committee is respected and valued in the organizations, and outcomes.
l)    The safety committee is supplemented with other forums like crew and toolbox meeting as needed.
m)    Clear rules and responsibilities are established for the committee and officers.
n)    There are opens lines of communication between workers and forum meeting.
o)    The safety committee analyzes safety and health hazards to identify deficiencies in the injury and illnes prevention program.
p)    The safety committee make in annual review of the injury and Illess prevention program.
q)      Reviewed results are used to make positive change in policy, procedures and plans.
r)    The review includes all facts of the facility.

10.      Hazard Reporting system

a)    A system for employee hazard reporting is in place and is known to all employees.
b)    The system allows for the reporting of physical and behavioral hazards.
c)    Supervisors and managers actively encourage use of the system and employees feel comfortable using the system in all situations.
d)    The system provides for self correction through empowerment.
e)    The system involves employees in correction planning, as appropriate.
f)    The system provides for rapid and regular feedback to employees on the status of evaluation and correction.
g)    Employees are corrective action is taken promptly on all confirmed hazards.
h)    Interim corrective action is taken immediately on all confirmed hazards.
i)    Interim corrective action is taken immediately on all confirmed hazards where delay in final correction will put employees or other at risk.
j)    The system provides for data collection and display as a means to measure the success of the system in resolving identified hazards.

11.      Hazard Identification (Expert Survey)

a)    The surveys are completed at appropriate intervals, with consideration to more frequent survey in more hazardous, complex, and highly changing environments.
b)    The surveys are performed b y individuals competent in hazard identification and control, especially with hazard that are present at the worksite.
c)    The survey drives immediate corrective action on item found.
d)    The survey result in optimum controls for hazards found.
e)    The survey results in update hazard inventories.

12.      Hazard controls

a)    Hazard controls are in place at the facility.
b)    Hazard control are selected in appropriate priority order, giving preference to engineering controls, safe work procedures, administrative controls and personal protective equipment (in that order).
c)    Once identify hazards are promptly eliminated or controlled.
d)    Employees participate in developing and implementing methods for the elimination or control of hazards in their work areas.
e)    Employees are fully trained in the use of controls and ways to protect themselves in their work area. And utilize those controls.

13.      Hazard Identification (Change Analysis)

a)    Operational change in space, processes, materials, or equipment and affective are planned.
b)    Planned operational change are known to responsible management and affected workers during the planning process.
c)    A comprehensive hazard review process exists and is used for all operational changes.
d)    The comprehensive hazard review process involves competent qualified specialists appropriate to the hazards anticipated and the operational change being planned.
e)    Members of the affected workforce actively participate in the comprehensive hazard review process.
f)    The comprehensive hazard review process result in recommendation for enhancement or improvement in safety and health element of the planned operational change which are accepted and implemented prior to operational start-up.

14.      Hazard Identification (Job Hazard Analysis)

a)    Members of management and of the workforce are aware hazards can develop can within existing jobs, processes and/or phase of activity.
b)    One or more hazard analysis systems designed to address routine job, process, or hazards is in place at the facility.
c)    All jobs, processes, or phase of activity are analyzed using the appropriate hazards analysis system.
d)    All jobs, processes, or phase of activity are analyzed whenever there is a change when a loss incident occurs or on a schedule of no more than three years.
e)    All hazards analysis identify corrective or preventive action to be taken to reduce or eliminate the risk of injury or loss, where applicable.
f)    All corrective or preventive actions identify by the hazard analysis process have been implemented.
g)    Upon implementation of the corrective or preventive actions identified by the hazard analysis process the written hazards analysis is revised to reflect those actions.
h)    All members of the workforce have been trained on the of appropriate hazard analysis systems.
i)    A representative sample of employees is involved in the analysis of the job, process or phase of activity which applies to their assigned work.
j)    All members of the workforce have ready access to and can explain the key element of the hazards analysis which applies to work.

15.      Hazard Identification  (Routine Inspection)

a)    Inspections of the workplace are conducted in all to areas to identify new reoccurring or previously missed safety or health hazards and/or failure in hazard control systems.
b)    Inspection are conduced routinely at an interval determined necessary based on previous finding or industry experience (at least quarterly at fixed worksites, weekly at rapidly changing sites such as construction, as frequently as daily or at each use where necessary).
c)    Personnel at all levels of the organization are routinely involve in safety and health inspection.
d)    All personnel involve in inspection have been trained in the inspection process in hazard identification.
e)    Standards exits which outline minimum acceptable levels of safety and health and which are consistent which federal OSHA or state safety and health requirements where they exist.
f)    Standards cover all work and workplace at the facility and are readily available to all members of the workforce.
g)    All personnel involved in inspections have been trained on the workplace safety and health standards and demonstrate competence in the standards and their application to the worksite.
h)    All inspection result in a written report of hazard findings, where applicable.
i)    All written reports of inspection are retained for a period required by low or sufficient to show a clear pattern of inspections.
j)    All hazard finding are corrected as soon as practically possible and not repeated on subsequent inspections.
k)    Statistical summaries of all routine inspections are prepared, charted and distributed to management and the workforce so as to show status and progress at hazard elimination.

16.      Emergency preparation

a)    All potential emergency situations that impact the facility are identified.
b)    A facility plan to deals with all potential emergencies has been prepared in writing.
c)    The plan incorporates all elements required by law, regulation and local code (including the requirements of 1910.38, 1910.119, 1910.120, and RCRA, where applicable).
d)    The plan is written to complement and support the emergency response plans of the community and adjacent facilities.
e)    The plan is current.
f)    All personnel at the facility can explain their role under the plan and can respond correctly under exercise or drill situations.
g)    Community emergency response commanders know the plan.
h)    The plan is tested regularly with drills and exercises.
i)    Community emergency responders are involved, where appropriate, in the facilities drills and exercises.
j)    The plan is implemented immediately when an emergency at or impacting the facility is known.
k)    The plan is effective at   limiting the impact of the emergency on the facility and the workforce.
Emergency communication
a)    Emergency communications system is installed at the facility.
b)    The communication systems are redundant (such as alarm boxes, emergency telephones, PA systems, portable radios).
c)    The communication systems are operational.
d)     The communication systems are tasted at regular intervals (at least monthly).
e)    All personnel at the facility are trained in the use communication system and can demonstrate their proper use.
f)    Exit sings evacuation maps, and other emergency directions are installed at the facility.
g)     Emergency directions are available correct and accurate in all spaces corridors and points of potential confusion.
h)    Personnel are aware of the emergency directions and can accurately describe the action they are to take in an emergency based on the directions available to them in their work area.
i)    Emergency equipment is appropriate to the facility (including sprinkler systems fire extinguishers. First aid kites fire blankets safety showers and eye washes emergency respirators protective clothing spill control and clean-up material chemical release computer modeling, etc.)is installed or available.)
j)    Emergency equipment is distributed in sufficient quantity to cover anticipated hazards and risks is operational and is tested at regular intervals (at least monthly).
k)    All personnel at the facility are trained in the use of emergency equipment available to them and can demonstrate the proper use of the equipment.

17.      Emergency Medical Assistance

a)    The facility has a plan for providing emergency medical care to employees and others present on the site.
b)    The plan provides for competent emergency medical care, which is available on all shift of work.
c)     Competent emergency medical care when needed is actually provided in accordance with the plan.
d)    All emergency medical delivery is done in accordance with standardize protocols.
e)    Component emergency medical care if provided on- site, is certified to at least the basic first aid and CPR levels.
f)    Off-site providers of emergency medical care if utilized are medical doctor’s registered nurses paramedics, emergency medical technicians or certified first responders.
g)    All members of the workforce are aware of how to obtain competent emergency medical care.

18.      Facility/Equipment Maintenance

a)    A preventive maintenance program is in place at the facility.
b)    Manufactures or builders routine maintenance recommendation have been obtained and utilized for all applicable facilities, equipment, machinery, tools and/or materials.
c)    The preventive maintenance system ensures that maintenance for all operations in all areas is actually conducted according to schedule.
d)    Operators are trained to recognize needs and perform or order maintenance on schedule

19.      Accident/Incident Investigation and Control

a)    Workplace policy the reporting of all actual and “near miss” accidents.
b)    All members of the workforce are familiar with the policy on accident/incident reporting.
c)    All accident and incidents are reported as required by policy.
d)    Workplace policy requires a thorough investigation of all accidents and incidents.
e)    All accidents and incidents are investigation as required by policy.
f)    All investigation are conducted by personnel trained in accident /incidents investigation techniques.
g)    All investigation includes input from impacted parties and witnesses, where possible.
h)     All investigation determines “root causes”.
i)    Recommendation designed to adequately address root causes are made as a result of all investigation and result in prompt corrective action.
j)    Completed investigation report are routed to appropriate levels of management and knowledgeable staff for review and are provided promptly to government officials as required, in accordance with low and applicable standards.

20.      Injury/IIIness Analysis

a)    A system exits which tracks trends in safety and health at the facility.
b)    The system addresses trailing indicators, including accident occupational injuries and illnesses, hazards identified, and complaints from employees and others.
c)    The system addresses leading indicators of safety and health effectiveness, including employee’s attitude and employee’s behaviors.
d)    All personnel at the facility are aware of the need to provided incident and activity information to the system, and do so systematically, accurately and consistently.
e)    An individual or group is assigned responsibility for compiling and analyzing records for safety and health trends.
f)    Trend data is consistently provided to all facility personnel.
g)    All personnel are fully aware of safety and health trends, causes and means of prevention.
h)    Trend data is utilized to drive improvement and prevention activities.
i)    Employees are active participants in the determination of collection methods, collection analysis, and intervention selection.

21.      Employees Learn Hazards, How to Protect Themselves and Others

a)    An employee’s safety and health training program exits at the facility.
b)    The training is provided to all employees, unless proficiency in the knowledge and skills being taught have been effectively demonstrated.
c)    The training covers all legally-required subjects.
d)    The training cover hazards (awareness, location, identification, and protection or elimination).
e)    The training cover the facility safety system (policy, goal and objectives, operations, tool and techniques, responsibilities and system measurement).
f)    Training is regularly evaluated for effectiveness and revised accordingly.
g)    Post-training knowledge and skills are tested or evaluated to ensure employees proficiency in the subject matter.
h)    The training system ensures that knowledge and skills taught are consistently and correctly applied by employees.

22.      Understanding Assigned Safety and Health Responsibilities

a)    All elements of the company’s and health program are specifically assigned a job or position for coordination.
b)    Assignments are in writing.
c)    Each assignment covers broad performance expectations.
d)    All personnel with program assignment are familiar with their responsibilities.

23.      Supervisor Know Safety and Health Responsibilities and Underlying Reasons

a)    A supervisor safety and health training program exits at the facility.
b)    The training is provided to all supervisors, unless proficiency in the knowledge and skills being laugh has been effective demons red.
c)    The training covers all subjects matter delivered to employees to the extent necessary for supervisor to evaluate employee’s knowledge and skills and to reinforce or coach desired employee safety and health behaviors. 
d)     The training covers the facility safety system (policy, goals and objective, operations tools and techniques, responsibilities and system measurement.
e)    The training covers supervisory safety and health responsibilities.
f)    Training is regularly evaluated for effectiveness and revised accordingly.
g)    Post-training knowledge and skills are tested or evaluated to insure supervisory proficiency in the subject matter.
h)    The training system ensures that knowledge and skills taught are consistently and correctly applied by supervisors.

24.      Managers/Supervisors Learn Safety and Health Program Management

a)    A management safety and health training program exists at facility.
b)    The training is provided to all management unless proficiency in the knowledge and skills being taught have been effectively demonstrated.
c)    The training covers all subjects matter delivered to employees and supervisor to the extent necessary for management to evaluate employees and supervisory knowledge and skills and to reinforce on coach desired safety and health behaviors.
d)    The training covers the facility safety system (management concepts and philosophies, policy, goal and objectives operations tools and techniques, and system measurement).
e)    The training covers management safety and health responsibilities.
f)    Training is regular evaluate for effectiveness and revised accordingly.
g)    Post-training knowledge and skills are tasted or evaluate to ensure management proficiency in the subject matter.
h)    The training system ensures that knowledge and skills taught are consistently and correctly applied by managers.

25.      Safety And Health Program Review

a)    The safety and health program is reviewed at least annually.
b)    The criteria for the review is against safety and health program guidelines or other recognized consensus criteria in addition to the facility goal and objective and any other facility specific criteria
c)    The review samples evidence over the entire facility or organization.
d)    The review examines written materials, the status of goal and objectives, records of incidents records of training and inspection employee and management opinion observable behavior and physical conditions.
e)    Review is conducted by an individual (or team) determine competent in all applicable areas by virtue of education, experience and/or examination.
f)    The result of the review is document and drive appropriate changes or adjustments in the program.
g)    Identified deficiencies do not appear on and subsequent review as deficiencies.
h)    A process exists which allows deficiencies ’in the program to be come immediately apparent and corrected in addition to a periodic comprehensive review.
i)    Evidence exists which demonstrates that program components actually result in the reduction or elimination of accidents.