• After conducting several worksite evaluations, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) concluded that managing worker safety is an important way to reduce injuries and illnesses on the job. OSHA has created guidelines that outline the elements in a good safety management system which can be applied to any industry.
  
  

An Effective Program

• OSHA encourages employers to create a safety management system that includes policies and procedures that ensure the safety of their employees. A good program evaluates hazards and either prevents or controls them. A safety management system should not merely follow OSHA regulations in protecting employees, but should seek to eliminate every hazard of the workplace. Although a written program is not required, it is encouraged.
  
  

Involvement

• Employees at a management level should be committed to the program and all employees should be involved in it. Establish a goal for the safety management system and clarify ways to meet that goal. Involve employees in discussions regarding their safety and allow them input into hazard resolutions. Managers and employees must be held accountable for their responsibilities so that vital tasks do not remain undone.
  
  

Examinations

• The worksite must be regularly inspected to monitor known hazards and identify new ones. Each worksite should be evaluated periodically to ensure that the employees working there remain safe from hazards. Whenever a new facility or process is introduced, examine it for hazards before allowing employees onto the site. Evaluate injury reports and make adjustments if a pattern emerges.
  
  

Hazard Prevention

• Whenever possible, hazards should be prevented. If it is not possible to prevent a hazard, then a control should be established that minimizes the exposure of employees to the hazard. Create and enforce safe working procedures and provide protective equipment if necessary. If employees must be exposed to a hazardous substance, use administrative controls to minimize the exposure of each employee. Prepare an emergency plan and perform drills periodically.
  
  

Training

• Every employee should be trained in the safety program and on what their responsibilities are. Each employee should receive pertinent safety training during their regular new employee training. Whenever a new safety practice will be enforced, all employees should be trained in the new procedure. Provide extended training for managers so that they understand their responsibilities and the reasons for them.