How to Stop Workplace Hazards Before They Happen

It is essential that the employees report safety hazards when they are encountered. Employees are the most familiar with the detail and functions of the job or the jobsite and it is critical that they become the communications conduit to maintaining the safety of that job function. 

However, many employees are reluctant to report the dangers that may be encountered.  They can fear reprisals from management or simply don’t feel comfortable approaching higher management in these situations.  While this  may seem unlikely to most management, it nevertheless can happen and often does…as attested by studies for the last few years showing that the number of complaints filed with OSHA by workers who claimed to have been penalized increased by 50%.    Of course, reporting hazards is not only helpful, it is mandatory by the clear rules set up by OSHA in VPP in 2015.

Some Fundamentals Things You Can Do To Encourage Reporting

For the last few months, we interviewed several client safety professionals who had implemented hazard abatement programs in their companies.  Following is list of several of the ideas they shared with us about their progams:

• Assure employees that management will not retaliate in any way when a hazard is reported.  In fact consider this action as a time for recognition and reward

• Set up an easy process for reporting, don’t make it arduous or time consuming and clearly set up the chain of command involved.

• Have a sense of urgency and set up a timeline from reporting to the rectification

• Make sure your employees understand the consequences of not reporting hazards, which could
  
  include illness, injury or loss of life and in addition lead to financial penalties for themselves or their employers

• Set up a feedback mechanism so employees can see that their reporting results in a positive action of the hazard being removed and dangerous workplace habits corrected

• Publically acknowledge and recognize the employees’ and/or department’s initiative to report, with special mention in company communications, visits and meetings with appropriate executives, special celebrations etc.

• Positively issue each employee involved with an appropriate tangible award in recognition of their accomplishment in correcting serious hazards and as a reminder that they all share the responsibility of the wellbeing of their co-workers

• Institute recertification or re-training sessions with emphasis on best practices and new strategies now being employed

When you put these steps into action you are completely changing the dynamics about a subject that could have easily been a difficult negative turning it into something that is completely positive. 

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