DEFINITIONS

SAFETY:Absence of danger from which harm or loss could occur. HAZARD:Incidents which are potential to harm. RISK: Probability x consequences.
Combination of the likelihood and consequences (s) of a specified hazardous event occurring.

How to create a safe and productive workplace

Step 1.
Identify what you dont want --    Trying to avoid having injuries. Do not want law- suits , fines. Dont want to lose productivity to implement the program . Lack of confidence of Employees/Shareholders.

What to do ?---- Hazard Identification  Hazards are of 5 types : Physical// Biological// Chemical// Ergonomical// Physiosocial.  Identify the most common hazards and types of injuries or illness in your workplace.  Look at your past records to see what types of injuries you have had in the past.  Interview employees to see what potential injuries may have gone unreported.  Monitor the supplies in the first aid kit. What supplies do you have to replenish the most? Where are they being used?  Bench marking .

Step 2:
Decide what you do want to have a safe and productive work place.  Now that you have a list of potential sources of injury and illness, you need to take steps to protect workers from the hazards identified.  Risk Assessment : Begin by prioritizing your list. At least protect workers from the most likely to occur incidents .

 a) b) c) d)

Risk Control : Four Risk control strategies . Risk Avoidence .( Terminate) Risk Reduction . (Treat ) Risk Retention . ( Tolerate ) Risk Transfer . ( Transfer ) AVOID HIGH RISK .-- MANAGE MEDIUM RISK -- LIVE WITH LOW RISK.

Step . 3
Get clear about what you are trying to accomplish: y You are in business to produce a product or provide a service. y Identify any issues that may be blocking you from implementing your preventive measures. y Do your potential solutions cause even more problems?

y Get feedback from the people who are actually doing the job. y Make sure that the rules are compatible with performing the job. y Give clear instructions on what to do not just what not to do. y Train employees in the desired procedure and audit them. y If employees are taking shortcuts or not following the procedure, find out why.

Step 4:
Get a clear vision of what your safe work environment looks like.  Know for sure what you are trying to accomplish. Make these measurable goals. Fix accountability.  Complement workers on doing the job right. Be positive.  Make sure workers know the importance you place in their safety.

 Allow employees the freedom to express their opinion on hazards and what is the safest and most productive way to get the work done.  Dont try to micromanage the safety situation.  Focus on the things that work and do more of them..  Make sure every one has the same vision of a safe and productive work place.  Practice making this vision real with everyone each day.

Finally, a formula for success:

 Dont assume you know everything.  Dont get stuck in trying to force a particular method on your employees.  Do what works for them. Let the system evolve naturally.  Let the employees know through your actions that you care about them and their future. By producing more product in a safer and more profitable manner, all parties benefit.