Effective Safety Committees Mark Shaffer, Sr. Safety Consultant Safety & Personnel Resources

Objectives: Upon successful completion of this training seminar, each participant will be able to: Explain the benefits of a corporate safety committee. Describe the major elements of an effective risk management committee. Identify the roles of the committee members and top management team.

Why have a safety committee? How many of you have an active safety committee? Tell me some of what your safety committee performs – what are you really proud of?

Purpose The safety committee should be the “eyes and ears” of your corporate risk management program.

Who should be on the safety committee? Depending on the size of your agency, 5-9 staff members should be involved with your risk management/safety committee. Human Resources Maintenance member Top Management Employees from difference departments Workers that need additional safety reinforcement Members interested in your safety culture

Role of the Corporate Safety Committee The safety committee is not the maintenance committee. Emphasize the positive action What is going right Cheerleaders for safety! Risk assessments for your locations. Ability and knowledge to make safety suggestion for improvements.

Role of the Corporate Safety Committee Participate and conduct safety training sessions Assist with the documentation of the safety/risk management program Listen for safety suggestions from other co-workers Accident review committee involvement

Role of the Corporate Safety Committee Examine accident trends and improvements Communication regarding safety policies and guidelines Inform and advise safety committee members of any unsafe conditions

Key Elements Top Management Commitment Does your team participate in safety meetings, training sessions, orientation, etc. Top Management Support Must have to fulfill safety committee established objectives Does your agency have a general risk management/safety policy statement? Appoint a Safety Coordinator for the agency Accountability Do you have a written program? Are employees held accountable if they break a safety practice or policy?

Key Elements Formal annual safety training calendar Establish and implement annual training Document completed training and keep on file Zero Accident Culture Discuss during orientation Risk Assessments Completed by safety committee, supervisors, maintenance, etc. Documented audits of any unsafe conditions Correct unsafe condition as soon as possible

Key Elements Accident Investigation Completed by supervisor, Human Resources, Safety Coordinator, Safety Committee, etc. Documented investigation Retraining Complete before employee is allowed to return to work and/or to resume safety sensitive function

Key Elements Accident Review Establish formal committee and implement Any employee involved in an OSHA restricted or lost time accident Meet with review committee to help determine root cause of the claim Return to Work Program Does your agency have a modified duty program? Keep documentation on jobs that can be performed on modified duty

Key Elements Medical Clinic Conduct visit to selected medical provider to advise them of your Return to Work Program Joint visits to the clinic HR or Safety Coordinator participate in joint visits with the injured employee Revise safety programs Review training practices and programs annually Revise annually and/or as needed

Key Elements Claim reviews Quarterly claim reviews with Worker’s Compensation insurance company Human Resources Is safety in the employee’s job description? Is safety evaluated as part of the employee’s performance review? Safety observations Does your agency inform staff members they are doing a great job?

Key Elements Conduct behavior training Relationships Does your agency have a good working relationship with your Insurance Account Manager, Loss Control Manager, and Insurance Loss Control Consultant? Lift/Transfer/Back Safety training program Competency based

Key Elements Formal monthly inspection of all lift units and slings Documented and kept on file Drug testing program Formal post job offer examination Can the new employee perform the required job tasks

Safety First, Last, Always Shara Muller, Associate Director of Human Resources Imagine the Possibilities, Inc.

Our Story Better Together DAC, Inc. G&G Living Center, Inc. Imagine the Possibilities, Inc. Midwest Opportunities, Inc. G&G Living Center, Inc. Better Together

Where do we start?

Where do we start? Be positive! Don’t have to reinvent the wheel Realize everyone wants the same thing Be open-minded Commitment

Better Together Information Sharing Resources Policies/Procedures Best Practices Training Resources Insurance relationships Loss Control relationships Different perspectives Other agencies Create 1 corporate standard Regional committees Corporate committee Combine the best of all 4 Revise Implement Assess effectiveness ongoing

Committee Selection Regional Committee Committee Chair Person Representation from every department Representation from every level in the organization HR Maintenance Management members Front line employees Individual(s) served Anyone with an interest in safety

Committee Selection Corporate Committee Representation from executive team Representation from all regions Representation from all service areas Representation from external resources Unique perspectives Chair persons from all regions HR Maintenance Departments Directors, supervisors Work Comp Insurance Liability Insurance

Committee Guidelines Develop guidelines for the committee: Regularly scheduled meetings Selected members Attendance requirements Agenda Committee’s role Committee members’ roles and responsibilities Meeting minutes Handling of confidential information

Committee Priorities Establish priorities: Goals to eliminate known or potential loss sources Safety education Inspections, observations, assessments of processes Review of possible changes Job hazard analysis Annual review and updating of safety rules and procedures

Challenges What challenges do you encounter…? Within your organization? With governing/regulatory bodies? Within your program?

Keep it alive… Have a clear understanding of your role/responsibility Know the value of a safety committee Have a clear understanding of your role/responsibility Create buy-in Know your resources Have the support of management

Leading to Safety Jeff Morris, Chief Human Resources Officer Imagine the Possibilities, Inc.

Leadership & Safety Creating a culture of safety in your organization will absolutely require a concerted effort at all levels of leadership.

7 practical considerations Establish an organizational structure. Establish policies, processes and goals.

7 practical steps Allocate resources. Make it a priority in practical ways. Emphasize continually Seek Input routinely Implement creatively

7 practical steps Be visibly and intentionally involved. Reward people for safety success. Celebrate your successes.

It’s up to you! Safety needs to be encoded into your organization’s DNA. Safety is a cultural element which needs to be evident throughout the organization. Safety needs to be a commitment on the part of the organization’s leadership at all levels.

The research says… Dr. Harry Shannon, Senior Scientist at the Institute for Work & Health (a non- profit organization located in Ontario, Canada) has examined workplace factors in relation to injury rates.

The research says… “We found that factors such as workforce empowerment, good relationships between managers and workers, conducting safety audits, training of joint health and safety committee members, and active participation of top management in joint health and safety issues were all consistently related to lower injury rates.”

The research says… Shannon also says, “It’s important for workers to actively see how management deals with safety issues. Is management taking an active role? If workers think safety is being dealt with responsibly, then it probably is.”

So what does leadership have to do with it?

Influence

Influence “The true measure of leadership is influence – nothing more, nothing less.” ~ John Maxwell

Influence A commitment to safety on the part of your employees cannot be effectively dictated. You can try to use the leverage you have in terms of compensation, benefits, perks and even discipline. AND SOMETIMES THIS IS NECESSARY.

Influence The most effective and “true” leadership; however, comes from having personal influence.

Influence “If you can’t influence others, they won’t follow you. And if they won’t follow you, you’re not a leader.” ~ John Maxwell

Connection

Connection Effective leaders know that you first have to touch people’s hearts before you ask them for a hand…The heart comes before the head. ~ John Maxwell

Connection “People won’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” ~ John Maxwell

Connect Influence Lead

Why is this important? If your employees are working in an environment in which they know they are… Uniquely valued Personally understood Genuinely cared for

They have a reason to be safe. Why is this important? They have a reason to be safe.

Don’t underestimate your role as a leader in providing for safety successes.