Effective Safety Teams Make them work for you. DIOSHDays 2015

Transcription

1 Effective Safety Teams Make them work for you DIOSHDays 2015

2 Rate Your Safety Team 1. Motivated, get things done, cornerstone of your safety program, focus on problem solving and safety promotion, loved by all. 2. They meet, do some things OK, have trouble staying on track, basic function is to review accidents and conduct inspections. 3. Have not accomplished anything of value in the past year, bored, on the verge of breaking up. 4. Don t meet anymore, in need of life support or a mercy killing. 5. Don t have a Team at all.

3 The Challenge With today s corporate trend of streamlining and multi-tasking, management level employees are required to wear several hats. Positions dedicated solely to safety are becoming less common. The responsibility of safety is being combined into other functions such as Human Resources, Operations or Field Managers This makes the use of Safety Teams extremely important.

4 A Safety Team is... an integral element of a comprehensive Safety and Health Program.

5 Goal Reduce / Prevent Injuries (INJURY AND ILLINESS PREVENTION PROGRAMS) Increase safety awareness Build enthusiasm for safety programs Make safety a habit

6 Some of the functions/activities a Safety Team can assist with: Regulatory Compliance Emergency Planning (Bomb threat, Fire, Workplace Violence) Training (OSHA, Lifting, General Safety) Program Development and Implementation Ergonomics Inspections Job Safety Analysis Accident Investigation reviews Employee Safety Promotion

7 Safety Teams Safety Teams have the ability to make an immediate positive impact on a safety program. If managed properly, Safety Teams can be one of the biggest time/money savers for a safety manager. Liaison between Management and Employees

8 Benefits - Organization Fewer accidents and lost work time Promotes involvement Delegates work to more Accomplishes more safety projects Increased productivity Saves money

9 Benefits - Employees Safer work environment Better communication Increases safety awareness Enhanced employee morale (WIIFM)

10 Safety Teams: How do we do it? What makes them fail What makes them successful Some new ideas

11 Myths Safety Teams Relieve managers and supervisors of their responsibility for safety. Take the place of other safety programs. Involve only employees.

12 What Makes Teams Fail No direction No successes Frustration Boredom Why are we here? This is a waste of my time!! No support

13 Possible Barriers to Success Lack of Management commitment Team expertise or training Teamwork Leadership Direction and goals Follow-up Focus on specific issues Preparation for meetings

14 What Makes Teams Fail This is a big no-no: Asking your Safety Team members to be the safety police.

15 Getting Started Safety Director Manager Safety Engineer Heads Department Board Members Safety Committee Team HR Coordinator HR Coordinator Safety Manager Creating a Basic Foundation

16 ZAP Project Ownership Knowledge Transfer Sustainability Responsibility Accountability Recruitment Rollout Enforcement Measurables Compliance vs Performance Eight Pillars of Safety

17 Membership Cornerstone of an Effective Team All employees should have the opportunity to participate Representation by all departments, locations, operations, divisions, - Include Office staff Membership should be 5 to 15 (5 to 7 is optimal) Designee + alternate Membership should be on a (volunteer basis) Rotate members Assign specific responsibilities to chairperson, secretary, and members.

18 Should Management be involved Pros Shows buy in Improves Internal Communication Causes more effective deployment of resources Management knows why and how the Team came up with the idea

19 Should Management be involved Cons Intimidating to some employees Management gives little support Management shoots down all ideas Always concerned about $$$$$$

20 Functions of the Team Provide a forum for formulation and discussion of health and safety policies. Provide a channel through which policies can be recommended for adoption by management. Generate ideas for improving health and safety. Stimulate interest of employees. Review and update safety training plans.

21 Functions of the Team Make recommendations on the use of protective clothing and equipment. Develop safe work practices JSA s JTA s JHA s Examine accident reports and suggest prevention techniques. Conduct regular safety inspections

22 Set them up for Success

23 Successful Safety Team Basics Show up on time Finish on time Start with an agenda and stick with it. This is not a complaint session, a place to talk about your children, how many beers you can consume, or why the Cubs can t win the big one.

24 Keys to success Visibility/Recognition Post their name, Give them stature Credibility Quick wins Reasonable attainable goals Zero accidents is not a reasonable goal. (It is a reasonable activity)

25 Keys to success Training Don t assume everyone has the same skills Conflict resolution Communication Skills Meeting Management Skills Time Management Organization Hazard Recognition

26 Keys to success Implement Safety Zones Dealing with the consumer Ergonomics Heights Digs Heavy Equipment Location Functions

27 Keys to success Assign Tasks Expect Completion Establish effective problem solving methods How do they make recommendations? Who do they issue them to? Management needs to respond immediately, even if suggestion is being denied.

28 Keys to success If your safety Teams are being used as solely inspection or accident review Teams, you are creating an environment for failure. Be Creative!!!!!

29 Creative thinking for the Safety Team (compliance) Safety Teams should be task oriented focusing on : Safety Awareness: The Safety Team should be involved in improving the overall safety awareness of your workforce. Safety Program Development: Use them to support your program and training needs. This is a great opportunity to get employee buy in. After all its an Employee Safety Team

30 Safety Team Ideas (performance) Safety Promotion Awareness Posters Newsletter Contests Get everyone involved Safety 24/7 Make it fun

31 Safety Program/Accident Reduction Program Development Review policy and procedures Participate in Accident Investigations reviews. Team should sign off on all accident investigations Accident Prevention Target the key areas Ergonomics Training JSA s Behaviors

32 Accident Review Process Step beyond accident investigation Injured employee appears before the Team Or sub-team Not on trial But some degree of Heat Brainstorming Evaluate effectiveness of supervisor investigation

33 Some Tools For The Safety Team Give the Safety Team access to: Training Computer (Internet) Reference material Digital Camera Outside resources And most of all TIME.

34 Spice Up A Meeting Bring in outside speaker Hold safety breakfast Safety awards presentation Board presentation Designate monthly safety topic Back Injury Prevention Fire Prevention and Safety Slips / Trips / Falls Vehicle Safety Personal Protective Equipment

35 Outside Resources Get the most from the resources available to you: Consulting Firm Insurance Brokers Fire Department National Safety Council Networking Local A.S.S.E Meetings Seminars

36 Consultants / Brokers Do you have outside people meet with your Safety Team? Consultants and Brokers Set a service plan at policy inception Tailor the service plan to what you need. Use them for: Training Inspection Work Program and regulatory reviews

37 Networking / Seminars Networking is an excellent method of getting information from other company s on how they deal with similar safety issues. Meet with: Utility Company on their digging/trenching, electrical program Tower Company on fall protection program HR group on violence in the workplace University of Illinois Extension vehicle safety

38 Last Safety Team Rule Make it Fun!!

39 DIOSHDays 2015