February 24, 2010

When it comes to deciding which workers should be on your safety committee, including the people who volunteer for it is a no-brainer. But there are others you should consider inviting as well. Even considering that it may take a little cajoling to get them onto the committee, and a bit more managing once you do, the benefits you reap from their participation will be well worth it. Here are a few groups to keep in mind:

Are you getting the most out of your safety committee? Think it could be contributing more to your workplace safety efforts? Join us on March 10 for a webinar and learn how to make your safety committee an effective one.

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• Complainers. Often workers complain because they don't feel they have any control over what goes on in the workplace. By giving them an opportunity to do something proactive, you give them some of the control they're looking for. Once invested in the process, rather than loudly proclaiming the inadequacies of your safety program, your reformed complainers will be your most vocal safety program proponents (because it is, after all, now their program too). When complainers initially become safety committee members, it is important to contain or limit their complaining so that they don't derail the meetings and make them unproductive.
• Hard-nosed old timers. Your hard-nosed old timers are the ones who have been with you for years and sit in the back of the room quietly commenting that nothing ever changes. Especially if your safety program is new, or could stand some refreshing, your safety committee needs these employees. Your hard-nosed old timers know what does or does not work on the floor. They also know what's been tried before and didn't work. These employees, once invested, will quietly but firmly implement your safety committee initiatives. With these employees, you may initially get a significant amount of negativity and skepticism, and if you don't regularly and actively seek their input in safety committee meetings, you are not likely to get the full benefit of their participation.
• "Answer" men and women. Your "answer" men and "answer" women are the employees everyone goes to for answers, regardless of the positions they hold in your organization. They can provide insight into what employees do or do not understand when it comes to safety issues in your workplace and what concerns employees may have. Since these employees are used to being seen as authorities by their peers, they can sometimes monopolize the safety committee and their influence may need to be tempered in order to prevent your committee from becoming a one-person show.

The A-B-Cs of Safety Committee Success: How to Align Safety Goals, Build Teamwork and Correct Potential Hazards

Safety committees, when designed and implemented the right way, are incredibly effective at helping companies reduce accidents, injuries, and fines. Cal/OSHA places a high value on safety committees, but doesn't make them mandatory — however, if you have one that meets certain requirements, you're presumed to be in substantial compliance with some elements of California safety law. So you're already way ahead of the game.

A well-run safety committee can give you a peer-driven review of safe work habits, as well as additional insight into illness and accident investigations. When you enhance your employees' safety IQ, they become fully invested in minimizing the risk of citations, fines, and workers' comp awards.

Don't miss this opportunity to learn the A-B-Cs of organizing and managing a safety committee to improve compliance and reduce safety-related costs. Join us on March 10 for a webinar led by an industry veteran. Bring your managers and supervisors along to get your safety committee either launched or back on track. You'll learn:

• Why it's smart to include a safety committee as part of your safety program
• The key benefits a safety committee brings to employers, and how to measure its impact
• How to set the tone for your safety committee by laying the proper foundation and establishing its role in your safety culture
• Who should be included when recruiting for the safety committee — and why
• Safety committee meeting logistics
• How to keep your committee on task
• The key reasons some safety committees fail, and how to avoid these common landmines

Register Now »

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