Developing an Effective Safety and Health Management System

The best Safety and Health Management Systems (S&HMS) involve every level of the organization, instilling a safety culture that reduces accidents for workers and improves the bottom line for managers. When safety and health are part of the organization and a way of life, everyone wins.

Frequently Asked Questions

We’ll briefly address four common management questions below, and then take a closer look at specific implementation strategies for each.

#1. What Return on Investment can S&HMS programs provide?     

• Improved employee morale
• Decreased lost time
• Fewer workplace injuries and illnesses
• Lower insurance costs
• Safety culture adoption

#2. How can safety and health become part of the way my business runs?

• Combine performance standards with S&H standards
• Talk the talk and walk the walk
• Top down support
• Bottom up implementation

#3. What indicators tell me if I’m getting weaker or stronger?

• Statistical reports
• Opinion surveys
• Risk analysis
• Periodic inspections
• Process improvement initiatives

#4. What practices are best for assuring lasting success?

• Obtain management buy-in
• Build trust
• Conduct self-assessments
• Develop a site safety vision
• Develop a system of accountability and measures
• Implement recognition and rewards
• Provide awareness training
• Implement process changes
• Continually measure, communicate results and celebrate successes

Critical Elements Of An Effective Safety And Health Management System

• Employee Involvement
• Worksite Analysis
• Hazard Prevention and Control
• Education for employees, supervisors and managers

Management Commitment And Employee Involvement

• Develop and communicate a safety and health policy to all employees
• Demonstrate management commitment by instilling accountability for safety and health, obeying safety rules and reviewing accident reports
• Conduct regular safety and health meetings involving employees, managers and supervisors
• Assign responsible person(s) to coordinate safety and health activities
• Integrate safety and health into business practices (e.g., purchases, contracts, design and development)
• Involve employees in safety and health related activities (e.g., self-inspections, accident investigations and developing safe practices)
• Recognize employees for safe and healthful work practices

Worksite Analysis

• Evaluate all workplace activities and processes for hazards
• Reevaluate workplace activities whenever there are changes in processes, materials or machinery
• Conduct on-site inspections, identify hazards and take corrective actions
• Provide a hazard reporting system for employees to report unsafe and unhealthful conditions
• Investigate all accidents and near misses to determine root causes

Hazard Prevention And Control

• Eliminate and control workplace hazards (e.g., engineering controls, workstation design and work practices)
• Establish a preventive maintenance program
• Keep employees informed of safety and health activities and conditions
• Plan for emergencies (e.g., create an evacuation plan, train employees and conduct fire drills)
• Record and analyze occupational injuries and illnesses

Training For Employees, Supervisors And Managers

• Provide training on specific safe work practices before an employee begins work
• Provide additional training for new work processes and when accidents and near misses occur
• Provide refresher training on a routine basis

Read more tips about workplace safety on our blog.