Establishing a Safety Program

Problem: You Need a Safety Program – FAST!

Your Problem: You need a written safety program. Maybe it’s because an OSHA inspector requested proof of one during an inspection. Or you’re trying to meet the demanding requirements of a third-party risk management company to bid for jobs. Or it would help lower your liability or workers’ comp premiums, which are through the roof. Or you just want to be proactive about safety in your workplace. Whatever the case may be, you need a written safety program, and you need it now.

Your Solution: Establish a written safety program today. A safety program or plan puts your company’s safety policies and procedures in writing. Policies declare your commitment to a culture of safety and health; procedures state the actions you’ll take to protect your employees’ safety and health in practice.

An effective safety program or plan explains how you will

• Protect your employees from the hazards to which they are exposed.
• Provide employee safety training.
• Perform workplace safety inspections.
• Ensure your policies and procedures are followed. and
• Evaluate your program or plan to ensure it continues to prevent incidents and OSHA citations.

A written safety program not only formalizes your company’s commitment to workplace safety but also provides a clear roadmap for protecting employees, ensuring compliance, and fostering a proactive safety culture. By outlining policies, procedures, and evaluation mechanisms, you create a structured approach to preventing hazards, conducting training, and maintaining ongoing safety improvements.

Make It Happen: Establishing a safety program can seem overwhelming. Fortunately, you have a few options:

Option 1. Write your own safety program.

All the information you need to write your own safety program is available online for free. The OSHA website, as well as individual state websites, provides helpful resources for establishing your safety program.

Pros:

• Cost-Effective: Potentially lower upfront costs.
• Customization: Full control over content tailored to your specific needs.
• Flexibility: Ability to update and modify the program as needed.

Cons:

• Time-Consuming: Requires significant time investment to research and develop.
• Expertise Required: Risk of missing critical elements or compliance issues without proper safety knowledge.
• Limited Support: Lack of professional guidance and support.

Option 2. Hire a safety consultant to develop an individualized safety program.

A professional safety consultant can inspect your workplace, identify your unique safety requirements, and formulate an individualized safety program. A quick online search for “safety consultants near me” will reveal many local options from which to choose.

Pros:

• Expertise: Access to specialized knowledge and experience.
• Customization: Programs can be tailored specifically to your business.
• Ongoing Support: Consultants can provide training, support, and updates.

Cons:

• Higher Cost: Typically more expensive than developing in-house or purchasing pre-made programs.
• Dependence on External Providers: Reliance on consultants for updates and modifications.
• Variable Quality: Quality can vary based on the consultant’s experience and reputation.

Option 3. Purchase a ready-made safety program from a reputable safety company.

Many online retailers sell customizable safety programs that meet all the necessary requirements for your industry. Of course, we stand behind the products we offer here at OWYN Safety.

Pros:

• Quick Implementation: Faster deployment compared to developing from scratch.
• Proven Framework: Based on established standards and best practices.
• Support and Updates: Often includes customer support and regular updates to maintain compliance.

Cons:

• Less Customization: May not perfectly fit all specific needs of your business.
• Ongoing Costs: Possible subscription fees or costs for additional features.
• Generic Elements: Risk of including irrelevant sections that may not apply to your specific industry or operations.

With these options in mind, you can choose the approach that best fits your company’s needs, budget, and timeline. Whether you decide to write your own program, hire a consultant, or purchase a ready-made solution, the key is to ensure your safety program is comprehensive, compliant, and effective in protecting your employees.

Next Steps: Don’t just leave your new safety program in a file on your computer or a binder on the shelf – put it to work! Implement the program effectively by training your employees, conducting regular safety inspections, and continuously reviewing and updating the program to ensure ongoing compliance and safety.