Masonry Magazine April 2001 Page. 10
IMPLEMENTING
EFFECTIVE
SAFETY &
HEALTH
PROGRAMS
As you have probably already experienced, the cost of workers' compensation insurance is on the rise. The days of the soft insurance market are quickly fading away as a survey recently conducted by Business Insurance magazine shows. Nearly 90 percent of the insurers who responded stated that they planned to raise the premiums their insured pay. Nearly 33 percent of those planned to raise their rates by approximately 20 percent.
As contractors are hit with these rate increases, they are asking themselves, "How can I get I get these insurance costs down?" The most significant way to reduce these costs is to reduce the number of injuries and illnesses that cause workers to lose workdays. This can really only be done one way: developing and implementing a sound safety and health program and following it every day.
Safety and health programs should generally be written to ensure that all parties understand the duties and responsibilities assigned to them. An effective program includes provisions for the systematic identification, evaluation, and prevention or control of general workplace hazards, specific job hazards, and potential hazards which may arise from foreseeable conditions.
Although compliance with the law, including specific OSHA standards, is an important objective, an effective program looks beyond specific requirements of law to address all hazards. It will seek to prevent injuries and illnesses, whether or not compliance is at issue.
ELEMENTS OF A
SAFETY PROGRAM
OSHA has recognized certain elements that they believe make up a good safety and health program. These include: Management Commitment, Worksite Analysis, Hazard Prevention and Controls, and Safety and Health Training.
Management Commitment is shown by clearly stating a workplace policy on safe and healthful working conditions so that all personnel understand the priority of safety and health protection, by establishing and communicating a clear goal and program objectives to meet the goal, and by providing visible top management involvement in implementing the program. Management must also assign and communicate responsibility for the program and provide adequate resources and authority so that program objectives can be met.
Employers should perform Worksite Analyses to identify worksite hazards. They should perform an analysis of planned and new facilities, processes, materials, and equipment. Regular jobsite inspections should be conducted and a system allowing employees to notify management of hazards, without fear of reprisal, should be implemented. Not being aware of a hazard, which stems from failure to examine the worksite, is a sure sign that the safety and health program and policies are not being effective.
To show Hazard Prevention and Control, the employer should ensure that once hazards are identified, they are controlled by using engineering or administrative controls, or by the use of personal protective equipment. In this portion, a disciplinary system should be outlined and clearly communicated to employees. A program for routine maintenance of tools and equipment, as necessary, is part of this program element, as is provision for 10 MASONRY APRIL, 2001