Who’s Responsible for Safety?

Responsibility is a key to having a safe organization, whether the company’s business is manufacturing, meat packing or marketing. But where does the responsibility fall, and what does it entail?


Most companies understand that there needs to be one person with the overall responsibility for safety, and they also understand that the person must be supported if he (she) is to be successful. The problem is that the company thinks they have solved the safety question once the responsible person has been designated, and they move on to other business. Instead, the management team needs to help that person with a myriad of decisions related to the safety program.


Here is one question that every organization must answer: What does "responsible for safety" mean? How much authority will it invest in that person, and how will it support his efforts?


Whether it is forklift training, emergency evacuation procedures, sexual harassment awareness, or ergonomics, every company has challenges, and must effectively disseminate information and provide hands on training. The effective safety person must make a decision on whether to provide on-site training or on- line training. If the workforce contains Spanish speakers, then a decision to have bilingual safety trainers must be made. Depending on the size of the workforce, safety meetings and safety training must be scheduled on a regular basis; weekly, monthly or quarterly.


Responsibility for safety also means that decisions need to be made on how to prioritize safety and how to convey the importance of working safely to every employee. Workers’ Comp is a significant expense, but the message to employees must focus first on their welfare, not the monetary consequences of injuries. Responsibility also means that decisions need to be made on how to implement a safety incentive program that focuses on accomplishment and provides recognition to safe employees and departments. The goals of the company should be consistent with the goals of the safety program. One of the most important elements of any successful safety program is the sincerity of the employer. Making safety a priority through safety incentive programs, bilingual safety training, and recognition programs lets employees know that their safety is a priority to the company. The responsibility for safety rests with everyone, and the more support the management team gives the person who has been designated as having responsibility for safety, the better results the company will have.





James Parker is an author having experience in writing about the importance of Safety Meetings and Workplace safety. His articles are fond useful to business firms to get some well experienced safety and security companies as well as some acknowledgement about how to deal in emergency situations. For details visit safetyconsultantsonsite.com