ALWAYS HAVE A PLAN
Written Safety Plans Avoid Miscommunication and Confusion
Even if there’s no regulatory requirement for a written safety plan, having one can benefit your business in ways besides compliance.
After all, the main goal is to prevent workplace injuries, illnesses or deaths that would cause harm and financial hardship to your workers, their families and your organization. A plan that’s easy to refer to is one that’s more likely to be followed.
For large businesses, written safety programs are imperative. Responsibilities must be clearly assigned to avoid confusion.
For small businesses with simple operations and few hazards, it may seem effective to communicate policies and procedures verbally and by example. Employers do, however, have a legal responsibility under Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)-related law to:
- Use written labels and signs or color coding to warn employees of hazards.
- Communicate safety- and health-related operating procedures to employees.
- Provide safety training to employees in a language and vocabulary they understand.
A number of OSHA standards require employers to have written compliance programs. The most far-reaching is the hazard communication program, which affects all employers that store, manufacture or use hazardous chemicals.
There are also written program requirements specific to different industries.
