Your supervisors play a key role keeping the workplace safe. According to Oregon OSHA, supervisors can meet their responsibility by following these guidelines:
- Provide safety training. Create awareness of safe behavior and teach required skills for working safely. Present accurate, up-to-date information about workplace hazards and safe practices and procedures.
- Offer resources and support. Make sure employees have the proper tools and equipment, including PPE, to work safely and prevent accidents. Conduct “job safety analyses” to identify and correct hazards. Coach employees to perform their jobs more safely, and stay available to answer questions.
- Oversee work. Observe employees on the job to make sure that they’re performing tasks safely. Analyze all workplace accidents (including near misses) to find causes and take corrective action.
- Demonstrate safety leadership. Inspire employees to take responsibility for their own safety and that of their co-workers by setting a good example. Do everything possible to encourage employee-driven safety and make sure everyone knows that the work group is only as safe as each employee.
- Enforce safety policies and rules. Keep employees informed about workplace safety regulations. Offer constructive feedback to workers who take shortcuts or violate safety requirements. If needed, discipline violators. However, before doing so, supervisors should make sure that they are enforcing rules and policies consistently and fairly have provided proper training, resources, and support to ensure safe behavior.
The safer your workplace, the healthier your employees, the higher your productivity and earnings – and the lower your workers comp premiums.
Our agency’s professionals stand ready to help you, and your supervisors, meet this goal. Feel free to get in touch with us at any time.