The Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends employers establish a safety and health program to find and fix workplace hazards before they cause injuries, illness or fatalities.
OSHA offers the following core elements for a good safety and health program.
- Management leadership: Business owners, managers and supervisors must provide the leadership, vision and resources needed to implement an effective safety and health program.
- Worker participation: A safety and health program needs meaningful participation from workers and their representatives to be effective.
- Hazard identification and assessment: One of the main causes of workplace injuries and illnesses is failing to identify or anticipate hazards.
- Hazard prevention and control: Effective controls protect workers from hazards; help avoid injuries and illnesses; and minimize or eliminate risks.
- Education and training: Be sure workers and managers know about workplace hazards and controls, and provide everyone with opportunities to help develop and implement your safety and health program.
- Program evaluation and improvement: Evaluate your safety and health program to verify it is being properly implemented, and assess the program at least annually to determine what is working.
Learn more about how your company can develop an effective safety and health program.
