Why Have Written Safety Programs?

OSHA has concluded that effective written safety programs, accident prevention plans as well as management of worker safety and health protection is a decisive factor in reducing the extent and the severity of work-related injuries and illnesses. Measuring the results of workplace safety programs and health changes benefits employers and employees because both gain confidence that the change results in a safer workplace. Since most changes occur by trial and error or in stages, information about the effectiveness of each stage is naturally helpful to the process. These changes often result in increased productivity and demonstrate that employee safety programs and health can be a good investment. Other Written Safety Programs
Accident Investigation Safety Program Formaldehyde Safety Program Accident Prevention Plan General Workplace Safety Policies Accident Reporting & Record Keeping General Workplace Safety Rules Aerial & Scissor Lift Safety Program Hazard Communication HAZCOM Program Air Quality & Air-Contaminant Safety Hazardous Material Transportation Asbestos Safety Program Hearing Protection & Conservation Back Injury Prevention Safety Program Heat Stress Prevention Safety Program Bloodborne Pathogen Safety Program Hot Work Safety Program Boiler Safety & Inspection Program Housekeeping Safety Program Compressed Air Safety Program Hydroblast Safety Program Compressed Air Storage Tank Safety JSA Job Safety Analysis Safety Program Compressed Gas Cylinder Safety Program Laboratory Chemical Safety Hygiene Compressed Gas Safety Program Ladder Safety Program Concrete Mixing & Pouring Safety Laser Safety Program Confined Space Safety Program Lead Safety Program Confined Space Safety Program (Alt) Lockout-Tagout - Hazardous Energy Construction Fall Prevention Safety Machine & Equipment Safety Program Construction Fall Prevention Safety (Alt) Medical Records - Employee Access Construction Safety Employee Training Metal Working Fluids Safety Program Contractor Safety Program Non-Ionizing Radiation Safety Program Crane Hoist Safety Program Office Safety Program Critical Lift Safety-Program Passenger Vehicle Safety Policy Defensive Driving Policy & Procedures Personal Protective Equipment Safety Demolition - Construction Safety-Program Powered Carts Safety Program - Golf Carts Drug Free Workplace Program Powered Industrial Trucks Forklift Safety Dry Ice Carbon Dioxide Program Respiratory Protection Respirator Safety Electrical Safety-Program Return to Work Safety Program (Alt) Employee-Safety-Training-Program Return to Work Safety Program

Excavation Trenching Safety Program Fall Prevention Safety Program Fall Protection Safety Harness Inspection Fall Prevention Safety Work Plan Fall Protection Safety Program Fire Prevention Safety Program Fire Safety Prevention Program Flammable Liquids Safety Program Fleet Vehicle & Driver Safety Program

Safety Audits Inspections Workplace Safety Committee Program Policy Scaffold Safety Program Sling & Rigging Safety Program Tool Safety Program Universal Waste Control Program Unsafe Workplace Conditions Safety Vehicle Driver Safety Program Violence Prevention Safety Program

One of the most important roles of managers is to send their employees home in as good a condition as when they arrived at work; free from injuries or illnesses due to work related incidents. In 1970 Congress created the Occupational Safety Heath Administration (OSHA) under the Occupational Safety and Health Act. President Richard M Nixon signed the act into effect on December 29, 1970. OSHA's mission is to ensure safe and healthful workplaces in America. Penalties for non-compliance can range from $0 to $200,000, depending on the probability of the violation resulting in serious harm to workers. If a company is charged with repeat or willful violations, the penalties and fines can be even stiffer. Effective safety programs including an accident prevention plan help ensure compliance with the law. In addition to ensuring a safer workplace, an effective safety program and accident prevention plans can decrease workplace injuries and illnesses, reduce lost time, increase compliance with the law and lower insurance costs. Effective safety programs can also help build employee morale, commitment and trust. Effective safety programs and accident prevention plans can also help improve a companys public image. Public perception is extremely important in todays workplace. No company can afford to be perceived as unsafe, and companies have responsibilities to their employees as well as responsibilities to the community and to society as a whole. Effective safety programs and accident prevention plans help ensure that a company maintains a reputation for good stewardship. Having a company that is recognized for its good safety performance can also help in recruiting and retaining highly skilled and talented individuals. Bottom line, in todays competitive environment, no company can afford an unsafe workplace. Basic components of a comprehensive safety program and accident prevention plan includes such things as:

Clearly established safety program goals and objectives Implementation plans with actions, responsibilities, and timeframes Written safety policies and safety procedures Ongoing communications, education/training, and safety meetings Workplace/job hazard safety analysis process Employment/job related medical requirements Effective safety performance measures On-going evaluations, safety audits, and job safety inspections Corrective action process for identified safety hazards/deficiencies Recognition/rewards/incentives Disciplinary process Documentation and recordkeeping Employee assistance program Employee involvement/a workforce that owns its safety program

More detailed information and topic specific written safety programs are in the Members Area