In order for a Safety Program to be successful it takes
an effort from both management and employees. Management obviously has
the major responsibility. It is management that establishes the safety
culture, provides leadership and sets the tone.
However, management cannot by themselves ensure the
Safety Program will meet its goal of protecting the company's most vital
assets. Employees need to take an active role and take responsibility
for their individual safety. Yet all too often, employees take their
safety for granted. They think that accidents happen to other people or
that complying with the safety rules are too bothersome. Personal safety
unfortunately is not always an employee's top priority.
It only takes a second for a serious accident to take
place. If one does, it can have serious long-term effects for the
employee, his/her family and the company as well as an impact on the
company's workers' compensation cost. No one wins when a serious
accident takes place.
Therefore, employee safety responsibilities should be
developed and clearly communicated to all employees. These should be
posted in the work area and become the guide for your employees to
follow everyday.
There are a number of different items that can be
listed, but I have reviewed these over the years and believe the
following are “The 10 Key Employee Safety Responsibilities.” Please
review these. I think you will agree.
-
Always get a good night’s rest. It is important that
employees come to work rested and ready for work. Many accidents
happen in the first couple hours of work. Fatigue robs the body of
vitality and puts an employee at serious risk of injury.
-
Do not use drugs or overdo alcohol. Drugs and
alcohol use interfere with both mental and physical capacity. The
mind slows down and physical activities are impaired.
-
Maintain a good safety attitude. This is critical.
All too often, employees develop a bad safety attitude and this
causes them to put themselves at risk or they do not follow
company's safety rules.
-
Be alert at all times. Pay attention to what is
going on at all times. Watch out for other employees. Communicate
with other employees. Do not be on automatic pilot, and stay focused
on the job at hand.
-
Think before you act. Safety has to be proactive,
not reactive. Good decisions are critical to safety.
-
Do not hurry or take shortcuts. Employees often feel
either self imposed or external pressures. Many times this leads to
hurry or shortcuts. Neither is good. Hurry denotes actions out of
control without thought. Shortcuts are accidents waiting to happen.
-
Follow all company Safety Policies and Rules. This
should be a condition of employment. Rules are developed to protect
the safety of each employee. Failure to follow these could put an
employee's safety at risk and other employees who may work with the
employee.
-
Wear required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
PPE should be issued where necessary. Employees should use the PPE
and maintain the PPE in usable sanitary condition.
-
Inspect tools and equipment frequently. Tools and
equipment should be inspected regularly by employees to ensure they
are safe. Unsafe tools and equipment should be reported immediately.
Also, use the right tools for the job.
-
Practice good housekeeping at all times. The
number one most common type of accident is slips, trips and falls.
Good housekeeping goes a long way in reducing these. Good
housekeeping is also a reflection on the employee's safety attitude.
Poor housekeeping habits impair an employee's ability to be safe.
Please feel free to copy these on your letterhead and
post them. If you need any assistance with your Safety Program or have
any safety questions, please give me a call at 1-800-356-1274.
