4 Critical Functions of Safety Committees

4 Critical Functions of Safety Committees

 

Safety committees differ from industry to industry and workplace to workplace. But certain characteristics are common for success 

 

At a minimum, a safety committee should perform four critical functions for your organization:
1.   Analyze accident investigation reports and determine root causes. The committee is not the judge and jury on accident investigation, but it does serve a fact-finding purpose. It provides an internal depth of discussion of actual and potential accidents and injuries. It serves an awareness role rather than a policing role. To do this safety committees:

• Get copies of any accident reports
• Ascertain that the investigation was one of information gathering, not fault finding
• Determine if accident was preventable
• Review the root cause of the accident
• Review corrective actions
• Assess the type of training/retraining needed
•  2.   Monitor accidents, incidents, and near misses and look for trends. When gathering data on accidents, incidents, and near misses, the committee indicates categories that need further discussion.
  3.   Set annual safety goals and priorities. The committee should develop monthly, quarterly, and annual safety goals. Goals should be specific, measurable, realistic, and attainable. The committee should keep track of and review its goals.
  4.   Audit safety training programs. The committee should make a list of federally mandated training programs and another list of company-specific training needs. The committee should check to see that employees have received the needed training.