Minimize risks for your business
A safety and health committee is one of the most effective tools your
business can use to help prevent accidents and injuries. Successful committees
have a defined purpose and structure, identified goals, appropriate membership
and support from the top.
Committee Types and Functions
Since requirements vary from one organization to another, the structure and
scope of safety and health committees also varies. Committee effectiveness is
determined by how it is organized, what guidelines it follows, how membership
reflects your workforce, its degree of autonomy and where final authority lies
for implementing recommendations.
Ensure each committee's success by maintaining management’s active
involvement to make it effective and responsible. Implement the committee type
that best fits your requirements:
- corporate or company committees
- plant central committees
- departmental committees
- supervisors' committees
- workers' committees
- sub committees, such as behavioral safety, ergonomics, accident
investigation and more
A safety and health committee performs many functions:
- providing direction for the safety and health program by establishing
annual goals, objectives and action plans
- discussing safety policies and recommending their adoption by
management
- discovering unsafe conditions and practices and providing solutions
- obtaining results by putting management-approved recommendations into
practice
- teaching safety practices to committee members, who may then teach them to
all personnel
- stimulating and maintaining the interest of superintendents, foremen and
group leaders while keeping them informed on safety matters
- stimulating and maintaining the interest of workers to keep them aware of
safety practices that prevent accidents
- making safety activities an integral part of operating policies, methods
and function
- providing an opportunity for free discussion of accident problems and
preventive measures, including a suggestion system to obtain information on
unsafe conditions
- helping your operating manager evaluate safety suggestions
Committee Membership, Policies and Procedures
Your corporate, company or plant central committees may find it valuable to
consider some best practices, such as:
- listing the policies and procedures that define the scope of committee
activity, the extent of committee authority and enforceable procedures
- documenting committee membership, meeting attendance and meeting minutes as
well as the time, place and frequency of meetings
- establishing committees of five to 15 members. Studies show committees of
five or seven function most effectively and productively
- representing the different departments in your business
- appointing a management co-chairman to facilitate autonomy and authority in
correcting at-risk behaviors
- making sure the maintenance department is represented on the committee
- allowing the co-chairpersons or workers to determine committee membership,
as long as several departments are represented
To get the best results, look for committee members who are:
- receptive to new ideas
- familiar with the production processes
- interested in safety and health issues
- able to express ideas
- interested in the needs of the entire workforce
- willing to compromise when necessary
- respected by co-workers
- willing to attend meetings and work on projects
Develop a system that enables frequent committee membership rotation. This
allows a number of employees to become actively involved in the safety effort
and take part in the decision-making process. Stagger membership appointments
to maintain a sense of continuity and avoid a complete turnover at the same
time. Consider membership appointments in proportion to department size and the
nature of work.
Committee Meetings
Consider adopting an order of business for safety committee meetings,
including:
- Call to order
- Roll call by the secretary
- Introductions
- Minutes
- Unfinished business
- Review of accidents and statistics
- Safety education
- Inspection and recommendations
- New business
- Adjourn
Contact Us
Cincinnati’s loss control services are free to our policyholders. Let us tailor
a loss control program for your business. For more information, or to schedule
a meeting with a Cincinnati loss control representative, please contact your local independent agent representing
Cincinnati.
Our loss control service is advisory only. We assume no responsibility for
management or control of customer loss control activities or for implementation
of recommended corrective measures. These materials were gathered from trade
services and public information. We have not tried to identify all exposures.
We do not warrant that this information is consistent with Cincinnati
underwriting guidelines or with any federal, state or local law, regulation or
ordinance. All information adapted with permission of Insurance Services
Offices Inc.; Engineering and Safety.
