Essentials of an Effective Workplace Safety Program Randy Weaver, WA State Labor & Industries Rick Butner, Pierce County Public Works & Utilities

At the Beginning Educate yourself about the job hazards Listen to your staff Utilize all resources available to you Safety Officer Safety Committee Safety Meetings L & I Consultant

SAFETY=TIME & TIME =MONEY ($) Time and money are wasted on futile confrontations. If management does not support and believe in the safety committee, it is a waste of everyone’s time and the company’s money.

Making it Real You can become the safety police Or You can create a “Safety Culture” Give your staff the proper tools Commitment to the safety program Small investments can have large paybacks Make PPE personal

The Main Goal of an Effective Safety Culture Is To Promote Safety and Communication in the Work Place “Safety has to be a religion and a goal. When safety is a set of rules that are enforced by an agency, safety is doomed. As the saying goes, “Rules are meant to be broken” so if safety is a set of rules, what do you think is going to happen? But if safety is a culture or a collective goal and is respected, only then are the doors of opportunity and growth opened, allowing the ideals of safety to flourish.” -Taylor Rel, Evergreen State College, Public Administration Safety Studies “Safety has to be a religion and a goal. When safety is a set of rules that are enforced by an agency, safety is doomed. As the saying goes, “Rules are meant to be broken” so if safety is a set of rules, what do you think is going to happen? But if safety is a culture or a collective goal and is respected, only then are the doors of opportunity and growth opened, allowing the ideals of safety to flourish.” -Taylor Rel, Evergreen State College, Public Administration Safety Studies

Committee Meetings Members must be elected by peers Regular Monthly Meetings Have an agenda Documented Minutes Discuss safety issues from staff Resolve safety issues Discuss safety meeting topics Limit meetings to 1 hour

Job Hazard Analysis

MSDS Link JHA on Laptops Linked to MSDS Always Available Routine Updates System Deveoped with with L&I involvement

Working With L&I A good relationship with an L&I Consultant Better to get it right to start with Be up front and deal with it head on In the long run the goal is to be safe

Working With L & I has its benefits PERMANENT VARIANCE We have approved your request for a permanent variance from Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 296-155-610 (2) (i), regarding seat belt usage during cone setting for roadway paint stripping operations throughout Pierce County. This variance takes effect on the above date, and will remain in effect until the conditions you described in your application change or the Department revokes it. Our Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) staff will be notified of this decision.

Summary of Benefits Job Hazard Analysis Program Safety Committee Access to Consultant Consultant interaction with staff Stop the threats show your commitment Help with variance for cone rack Help with use of hygienist

Questions