1. WORKPLACE SAFETY COMMITTEE Initial Certification Training
There are two aspects to a workplace safety committee certification:
The committees certification
The employees certification
Tip from the Safety Committee Auditors:
Annual training can include non-members.
This is particularly attractive to smaller committees where additional people attending the training will add to the discussion and make the training more dynamic.
It gives non-members an idea of what the safety committee does.
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2. Learning Objectives Understand safety committee operations
Understand basic hazard detection and inspection methods
Understand (and apply) basic incident investigation techniques
Gain basic awareness of how drug & alcohol abuse/addiction impacts the workplace
This training will provide information to attendees which should enable them to understand how safety committees operated and what their objectives are.
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3. Safety Committee Structure
Committee Member Composition
- Minimum of 2 employer and 2 employee representatives
Number of employer representatives CANNOT exceed number of employee representatives
Quorum = 1/2 Plus 1 “need a quorum to hold
a monthly meeting: not concerned with who is present”
Tip from the Safety Committee Auditors:
If a committee has 4 members the organization should consider having 5 members.
The committee only needs 3 people for a quorum but the 5th member will give the committee additional flexibility.
Remember :The larger the group the more difficult it is to manage it.
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4. Safety Committee Structure
Committee Members Employer – Authority to do one or more:
▪ Select or hire an employee
▪ Remove or terminate an employee
▪ Direct the manner of employee performance
▪ Control the employee
Employee – Does not possess any authority or responsibility described for the Employer
A person cannot function as both of the above
Employer representatives are individuals who, regardless of job title and based upon an examination of that individuals authority or responsibility, do one or more of the following:
Select or hire an employee
Remove or terminate an employee
Direct the manner of employee performance
Control the employee
Employee representatives are individuals who perform services for an employer but do not possess an authority or responsibility described for an Employer representative.
A person cannot function as both an employee and employer representative.
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5. Safety Committee Structure
Single - One workplace, one committee
Centralized – More than one workplace
→ One committee in a central location with representation for each outlying workplace location
Multiple - More than one workplace → Separate individual committees at each workplace
Safety committees are formed and structured as a Single, Centralized or multiple committee.
Single – one workplace within the Commonwealth represented by a Single workplace safety committee at that particular workplace. The single committee represents the safety interests of all employees at the single location within the commonwealth under the listed FEIN number(s). (FEIN – Federal Employee Identification Number).
Centralized - The number of workplaces covered by the Central workplace safety committee is more than one. One workplace safety committee in a central location with representation for each outlying workplace location. The Central committee represents the interest of all employees at all locations within the Commonwealth under the listed FEIN number(s).
Multiple – The number of workplaces covered by Multiple separate individual committees at each workplace is more than one. The multiple committees represent the safety interests of all employees at all locations within the commonwealth under the listed FEIN. One drawback is that if 1 committee fails an audit, all fail.
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6. Safety Committee Purpose
• Improve safety & health in the workplace
• Generate ideas for improving safety & health
• Inform and educate employees on safe practices
• Stimulate employee interest & involvement in the safety function
The purpose of a safety committee is to promote a safe and healthy working environment. Providing a safe and healthy workplace is a big and important job. The probability of success is much better if employees and management work together.
To accomplish their purpose of improving safety & health in the workplace, the committee needs to:
Provide the means for everyone to develop and express their own commitment to safety and health.
Involve the persons most in contact with potential safety and health hazards.
Utilize everyone’s wide range of experience.
Remember: Everyone is more likely to support and use programs in which they have input.
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7. Safety Committee Authority
Extent should be determined and communicated to all employees; e.g.:
Empowered and endorsed by top management
Promotes safety within the organization
Acts as a recommending body
Investigate incidents
Implement changes
Many safety committees falter when it comes to following through on their safety vision.
A key reason is that the participants on the safety committee are not provided with a clear understanding of what is expected from them as participants and the committee as a whole when it comes to preventing incidents and injuries in the workplace.
Tip from the Safety Committee Auditors:
A properly run committee should be responsible for the safety program and authorized by senior management.
Remember: When initiating change, people support what they create.
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8. Workplace Safety Committees
Role
and
Function
Safety committees focus everyone’s attention on safety and provide a key channel for communication about safety issues between employees and management. Their efforts are directed at ensuring all employees return home in the same condition they arrived for work. One key way to do this is to align organizational goals with employee level goals. By creating clear goals for both the management and employee levels – then communicating the interdependence of them – you make employee engagement more sustainable.
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9. Managements’ Responsibilities
Provide support (time, effort, money)
Promote positive effects of Committee activities on individual basis or at group meetings
Support training for Committee members
Enforce safety policies and procedures
Attend Committee meetings
Express appreciation & give recognition. Provide clarity, focus, direction.
Provide leadership and direction!
How to motivate/influence change:
Step 1: Clearly articulate what needs to be accomplished and why
Step 2: Involve people in finding the solutions
Step 3: Explain the protocol
Step 4: Link people’s personal goals with the organization’s goals
The Four A’s
Acknowledge
Assist
Approve
Appreciate
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10. Employees’ Responsibilities
Follow safe practices/procedures
Identify safety and health hazards
Report all unsafe conditions and practices
Make suggestions for improving workplace safety
When employees are accountable for safety there will be fewer claims, lower operating cost, fewer lost workdays, and a safer and healthier workplace.
How do we accomplish those objectives?
The Four A’s:
Attitude
Awareness – communicate, educate, train
Accountability – hold people accountable for safety (develop and include employee’s safety into annual employee job performance evaluations.)
Action – address hazards and safety concerns promptly
SAFETY ATTITUDE SURVEY
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11. Members’ Responsibilities
Attend meetings
Notify all employees in your area that you are their representative on the Committee
Be watchful for unsafe conditions and acts and report them
Be responsive to employee concerns; follow up
Ask employees for safety suggestions and concerns
Discuss safety issues with employees
As a safety committee member you can contribute to making your workplace a safe injury free place to work.
The following are some things you can do to contribute to your committee’s purpose and function:
Attend meetings on a regular basis
Notify all employees in your area that you are their representative on the Committee
Be watchful for unsafe conditions and acts and report and report them
Ask employees for safety suggestions and concerns
Discuss safety issues with employees
Be responsive to employee concerns; follow up
Keep a log of items reported to you and follow-up to ensure hazards and concerns have been corrected. Inform employees of the status regarding their suggestions and concerns.
Safety tips from the safety committee auditors:
Stress that a properly run committee should be responsible, with senior management’s okay, for the safety program.
Give them ownership.
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12. Committee Chairperson
Accountable to top management
Facilitates meetings
Ensures agenda is followed
Ensures everyone is heard
Chairperson rotation (monthly/ quarterly/yearly)
Putting on an effective meeting and facilitating discussion around safety topics is a real skill set.
The Committee Chairperson should not do all the work.
As a Committee Chairperson, you are responsible for the meetings content (the agenda) and process (ensures agenda is followed and everyone is heard).
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13. Safety Committee Meetings
Must have formal (documented) monthly meetings with Agenda & Minutes
Hold meetings on same day and time of month
Must have a quorum
Must post the meeting minutes
It’s not necessary to follow Robert’s Rules of Order for your monthly meetings.
However, they must be formal (follow the committee’s established bylaws) and documented (with the names of members).
The following are typical topics committees have as agenda items for monthly meetings.
- Review & update safety training
- Develop safety work practices
- Recommend use of safety equipment/devices
- Accident/incident report reviews
- Action items from reports & safety inspections
- Avenue for employee safety-related issues
Tips from the safety committee auditors:
Regular monthly meetings with minutes of the meeting as well as a planned, outlined agenda are essential to the success of a safety committee but the follow-through is just as important.
Use agendas to make the committee and it’s meetings more efficient.
Agendas should be more than a standardized template.
They should be delivered to committee members at least the week before the monthly meeting and indicate who is responsible for what topic/assignment at the meeting.
In the monthly minutes each incident should include a case number, cause and recommendation that the safety committee discussed.
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14. Goal Setting Specific “S.M.A.R.T” Objectives: Measurable Attainable
Relevant
Time-bound
Successful Safety Committees set goals and objectives at least annually.
It is “smart” to have goals and objectives that are “S.M.A.R.T.”
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15. Objectives Objectives should be: Set as part of your planning process.
2. Worded clearly.
3. Must be assigned to committee member.
4. Completion dates must be established for each objective.
Objectives should detail how the committee’s goal(s) will be accomplished.
A 5th objective would be to monitor progress with status updates.
Tips from safety committee auditors:
The establishment of yearly (or shorter timeframe) health & safety goals.
Goals should be attainable with effort (not too easy and not impossible).
Year-end meetings should document the success for each goal.
Remember: The measure of success is not whether you have a tough problem to deal with, but whether it’s the same problem you had last year. (John Foster Dulles)
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16. Safety Committee Activities
Review & update safety training
Develop safety work practices
Recommend use of safety equipment/devices
Incident report reviews
Action items from reports & safety inspections
- Avenue for employee safety-related issues
Some typical safety committee activities involve:
Reviewing & updating safety training
Developing safety work practices
Recommending use of safety equipment/devices
Reviewing incident reports
Formulating an action plan with action items from reports & safety inspections
Providing a process for employee safety-related issues to be addressed
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17. Successful Safety Committees
Competent -- dedicated
Support goals & objectives
Demonstrate team effort
Effective communication
Develop mutual trust, respect & support
Effective goal setting & problem solving
Joint commitment: Employee Involvement & Management Support - The probability of success is much better if employees and management work together. The
committee will need the support of management and involvement of employees.
Effective Communication - The goals of effective communication include creating a common perception, changing behaviors and acquiring information.
Utilization of all Member Resources – Member involvement and input should be encouraged and recognized.
Effective problem solving - Begins with healthy conflict and avoids the Abilene Paradox or “group think.”
Support goals and objectives - Commit to decisions made by the committee and hold one another accountable.
Demonstrate team effort - Team effort is created whereby mutual trust, respect and support is advanced by all members to each other.
Focus on results – remember the SMART acronym for effective goal setting
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18. Accessing the HandS System
Go to our website
Click “Individuals”
Then click “Workers’ Compensation”
3. Then click “HandS System”
New Link to on-line filing is:
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19. Safety Committee Certification
Can be done on-line using HandS system
Initial certification:
- After 6 months of functional committee operation
- Within days of insurance policy renewal
Submit Form LIBC-372
The on-line HandS system can be used for initial or renewal Workplace Safety Committee Certification.
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20. Safety Committee Certification
                                                                           EXAMPLES OF CERTIFICATION APPLICATION
                                                                           Workers’ Comp renewal date on July 1
                                                                            Initial certification:
apply between March 1 and May 31
– must be before June 1 (30 and 90 days)
                                                                            Renewal certification: 
apply between April 1 and June 14
– must be before June 15 (15 and 90 days)
                                                                                    
Let’s review significant dates/timeline for a committee with a workers’ comp renewal date on July 1.
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21. Technical Assistance Manual
Click on “Individuals”
Click on “Workers’ Compensation”
Click on “Workplace Safety Committees” – on the right hand side
Click on “Workplace Safety Committee Technical Assistance Manual”
The Technical Assistance Manual is a very good resource!
It’s as easy as typing in the web address and then 4 clicks …clicking on the Individuals link in the upper right hand corner, then clicking on the Workers’ Compensation Box, then click on the Workplace Safety Committees link on the right hand side of the screen then finally clicking on Workplace Safety Committee Technical Assistance Manual.
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22. HandS Tech Manual Sample Programs found on following pages:
Safety Committee Compliance Checklist 49
Sample Bylaws
Sample Safety Policy
Sample Meeting Agenda 55
Sample Meeting Minutes 56
Sample Training Documentation 57
Sample Incident Investigation Report
PPE Program Checklist
Workplace Inspection Checklist
Safety Orientation
The Manual provides a basic blue print for the formation and operation of a workplace safety committee. It is not intended to be a comprehensive guide that addresses all of an employer’s many health and safety concerns.
There are four (4) basic sections.
Section 1: Overview of workplace safety committees
Section 2: How to develop a workplace safety committee
Section 3: Applying for “”HandS” Online Filing System
Section 4: Safety committee reference material
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23. Workplace Safety Committees
No!
Hazard Detection
and
Identification
As stated previously the purpose of a safety committee is to promote a safe and healthy working environment.
Applying proactive hazard detection and identification methods is the key to preventing incidents in the workplace.
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24. Hazard Detection & Inspection
What methods can be used to identify hazards?
What is a hazard?
Why perform safety inspections?
What should I look for?
What standards do I reference?
How do I perform the inspection?
How do I document the inspection?
We will cover the following items in this portion of the presentation:
Methods that can be used to identify hazards?
Defining a hazard and categorizing the types of hazards.
Answer the question: Why perform safety inspections?
As a member of the inspection team what you should look for?
Standards to reference
How to perform an inspection
How to document the inspection?
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25. Definition of a hazard
HAZARD - An unsafe condition or activity that, if left uncontrolled, can contribute to an incident
National Safety Council
A hazard, if not corrected, can lead to injuries or property damage.
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26. Types of Workplace Hazards
Biological
Chemical
Ergonomic
Physical
Workplace hazards usually fall into the following four categories:
Biological
Chemical
Ergonomic
Physical
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27. Hazard Detection & Identification
The following list shows the main ways to identify hazards:
→ Walkthrough Surveys
→ Inspection Checklists
→ Past Records
→ Incident Investigations
→ JSA/JHA
→ Documentation
There are other ways to identify hazards:
A Job Safety Analysis (JSA’s) or a Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) is a very good method.
Informal and formal observation programs
Comprehensive organizational surveys
Observing work each day is extremely important in identifying hazards.
Surveys take advantage of employee awareness of the presence of workplace hazards.
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28. Purpose of Safety Inspections
Identify potential hazards so they are corrected before an injury occurs
Implement or improve safety programs
Increase safety awareness
Display concern for workers’ safety
Communicate safety standards of performance
To protect workers and prevent incidents, you need to know everything about the areas and the work that goes on there.
Routine inspections help to address concerns/issues.
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29. What to Look for High Hazard Areas: Equipment and operations
that involve energy transfer including: chemical, mechanical, pneumatic, physical, electrical, gravitational, etc. (Unsafe Conditions)
Procedures and behaviors, including: Use of protective equipment, safe operating speeds, following proper procedures, horseplay,
inattentive behavior, etc. (Unsafe Acts)
To address safety management, look at both unsafe conditions and unsafe acts.
It is widely accepted in the safety field that unsafe acts contribute/cause 80 – 90% of the incidents in the workplace.
Tips from the safety auditors:
Safety inspections should be performed more often (weekly) in areas that experience incidents.
This would help employees to become more aware of hazards and would instill greater responsibility.
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30. Standards to Reference
OSHA
- Federal Regulations (29 CFR 1910)
Available at
PA Department of Labor & Industry –
PA Department of Environmental Protection –
Other technical standards
(NFPA, ANSI, ASTM, ASME, etc.) – get help if necessary!
ANSI (American National Standards Institute)
NFPA (National Fire Protection Association)
ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials)
ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers)
OSHA- Guide to Requirements for New Businesses:
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31. Inspection vs. Audit Are you AUDITING or INSPECTING?
Safety Inspections examine physical facilities – looking for unsafe conditions, unsafe acts, housekeeping issues, etc.
Safety Audits examine procedures & policies
There is a difference between auditing and inspecting. An audit can be done while doing an inspection, however this should be determined before the inspection is started.
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32. How to Conduct an Inspection
Observe processes, equipment, and work locations for unsafe conditions
Obtain comments and suggestions from employees
Review Records such as training, Safety Data Sheet’s, Incident Reports, etc.
Formulate recommendations
Report findings to management
Follow-up for implementation
Use a checklist and make sure that each item on the checklist is seen by one of the people conducting the inspection.
Do not leave anything to chance or memory; document everything.
What you see
What you don’t see
What you think should be done about what you observed.
Tips from the safety committee auditors:
Hazard Identification & Inspection walk-thru with the Provider/Trainer/Instructor. This is a mutually beneficial practice that gives both the safety committee members and the provider an opportunity to remedy hazards in the workplace.
Safety inspections should include speaking with employees and supervisors in the area. (Ask: How can safety be improved in your area?)
Inspections should measure the safety behavior of employees by asking questions about what they remember about training and safe work procedures in the area.
Inspections should also include checking on any accident recommendations to find out if recommendations are being followed or are not working.
Inspections should be on computer data base to change or improve inspections. You can rotate the things to look at on each inspection to keep the checklist small (time of season etc.).
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33. How to Document the Inspection
In Writing, In Writing, In Writing! ……
Checklists……….
Memorandums……….
Written inspection reports………..
Safety Inspections
If it’s not written it hasn’t been stated or done. If it is not in writing it didn’t happen.
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34. Safety Inspection Checklist
This is an example of an inspection checklist.
Again, you will find sample safety inspection checklist in the Technical Assistance Manual on page 68 – 74.
Tips from the Safety Committee Auditors:
Develop your own inspection checklist. The best ones are the ones you develop. You know what hazards you are looking for.
Rotate committee members doing the inspections. Have members conduct inspections in work areas other than their own.
Invite non committee members to accompany the regular committee members when conducting the inspections. This will provide an opportunity for another set of eyes and perspective.
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35. Job Safety Analysis Steps
1. Break a job or task into specific steps
2. Identify hazards
3. Evaluate the hazards
4. Determine safe procedures and protective measures
5. Revise the JSA
A job safety analysis (JSA) also known as Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) is a procedure which helps integrate accepted safety and health principles and practices into a particular job or task.
A JSA list the steps involved in completing a job/task. The hazards associated with each step are identified if any exist. The corrective actions to address the hazards and prevent injuries, illness and property damage are documented.
There are 5 steps in JSA or JHA.
Break a job or task into specific steps
Identify existing & potential hazards
Evaluate the hazards
Determine safe procedures and protective measures (control procedures to address the hazard(s)
Revise the JSA
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36. Benefits of Job Safety Analysis
Individuals are given training in safe, efficient procedures
Identify existing & potential hazards
Prioritize corrective actions
Leads to recommended action or procedure to perform the job safely
Some of the many benefits of a JSA are:
Individuals are given training in safe, efficient procedures
Identification of existing & potential hazards
Prioritization of corrective actions
Leads to recommended action(s) and or procedure(s) to perform the job safely
PPT 36

37. What’s wrong here? Identify the hazards
In this photograph, there are several hazards that could contribute to injuries.
Unsafe practices identified are as follows:
Access to emergency exit is blocked/obstructed.
Access to fire extinguisher is blocked/obstructed and the fire extinguisher location is not identified by appropriate signage.
Tables stored against wall, could fall on someone.
Box on top shelf of storage unit is partly hanging off shelf, could fall on someone.
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38. Hazard Identification Summary
Conduct a hazard assessment of the workplace
Correct identified hazards
Train employees in safety and health policies and procedures
Keep the process up-to-date and effective
To conduct effective hazard identification it is important to:
Conduct a hazard assessment of the workplace
Correct identified hazards
Train employees in safety and health policies and procedures
Keep the process up-to-date and effective
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39. Hazard Identification Summary
A hazard left uncorrected is an incident postponed
A hazard corrected is an incident prevented
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40. Incident Investigation and
Workplace Safety Committees
Incident Investigation and
Reporting
There should definitely be an investigation of the incident and a report written!
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41. Incident Investigation & Reporting
What is an incident?
What are the causes of an incident?
How do I investigate an incident?
What should I put in my report?
What’s next?
In this segment of the presentation, we will identify the following:
What is an incident?
What are the causes of an incident?
How do I investigate an incident?
What should I put in my report?
What’s next?
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42. All incidents have a cause and effect!
Incident Investigation & Reporting
What is an incident?
An uncontrolled and/or unplanned release of energy that causes or contributes to illness, injury, death and/or damage to property, equipment, or materials.
All incidents have a cause and effect!
Incidents cause or contribute to workplace illnesses, injuries, deaths, and/or damage to property, equipment or materials.
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43. 1 29 300 3,000 Incident Ratio Model Death or Serious Injury
Most Incident
Investigations Conducted 29
Minor Injury
Few Investigations
Conducted
Biggest percentage of injury causing potential!
300
Near Miss
As you can see, the Near Miss category is the area where few investigations are conducted however they provide the best opportunity to address hazards in the workplace.
In the following slides we will:
Define a near miss
List reasons for reporting near misses
Show examples of near misses
Address Near Miss resolution
List employee training in near miss reporting
3,000
Unsafe Acts, Behaviors or Conditions
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44. Hidden Costs of Incidents
Total Costs = Direct + Indirect Expenses
Direct (insured) = e.g. wage loss, medical
Indirect (uninsured, cost to company) = e.g. downtime, property damage, morale of injured worker and others in department, hiring, training, possible OSHA citations
The direct costs of an injury are the easiest to see and understand. These costs include emergency room and doctor visits, medical bills, medicines, and rehabilitation.
Indirect costs of an injury are often overlooked. These costs can amount to up to 4 times the direct cost of the injury. Indirect costs include administrative time dealing with the injury and medical care, raises in insurance costs, replacing the hours lost of the injured, possibly hiring another employee, loss of reputation and confidence in employees and clients, unwanted media attention, and more.
The total costs of an injury are surprising. Beyond the direct costs, the indirect costs greatly increase the overall costs. This is the true amount that the injury will cost in terms of money.
How much of an iceberg is visible above water?
When we are presented with the fact that most of the cost associated with a claim is not visible but there just same, we are then able to understand that both (the Indirect & Direct cost) add up to the total cost of a claim.
The fact is hidden cost can run 5 to 10 times the actual cost of a worker’s comp claim!
Most employees think of Worker’s Compensation cost only in terms of the direct cost (getting their medical bills paid and being compensated).
There is most likely little if any consideration of the Indirect/Hidden cost of the incidents until we are presented with the Iceberg Analogy.
Employee Costs:
Injury: Pain, discomfort
Time waiting for care
Travel time to various medical providers
Delay in wages
Unable to perform daily functions
Unable to participate in hobbies
Family impact
PPT 44

45. Incident Causes Personal Injury INCIDENT Unsafe Indirect Causes
Poor Management Safety Policy & Decisions
Personal Factors
Environmental Factors
Basic Causes
Unsafe
Condition
Unsafe Act
Indirect Causes
INCIDENT
Personal Injury
Property Damage
Unplanned release of energy
and/or
Hazardous material
It is widely accepted that indirect causes account for 80% to 90% of injuries in the workplace.
For each incident there are immediate causes that are symptomatic of problems in the overall system.
There are basic causes in the overall immediate causes of the incident.
The lack of management control permits the basic causes of incidents to exist in the Safety System.
Direct Cause
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46. Unsafe Acts - Unsafe Conditions
Inadequate Ventilation
Failure to Wear Proper PPE
Using Defective Equipment
Failure to follow policies & procedures
Inadequate Guards
Congested Area
Noise Exposure
Improper Lifting
Inadequate PPE
Incidents occur because of unsafe acts and unsafe conditions. This slide lists examples of unsafe acts on the left while examples of unsafe conditions are listed on the right.
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47. Incident Investigation
Review all reported incidents causing injury, damage or a “near miss”
What happened
Identify the root cause
Recommend corrective measures
Incidents should be investigated as soon as possible after occurrence.
Tips from Safety Committee Auditors:
Every quarter the Safety Committee should evaluate incident trending (number of incident cases) and measure against: safety goals, identify effectiveness of safety committee, develop corrective plans.
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48. Who Should do the Investigation?
First Line supervisor
Safety Committee
Safety Director/Safety Person
All of the above
A combination of the above
A determination of who has the responsibility of investigating incidents should be made by Management with the thought that incidents need to be investigated as soon as possible after they occur.
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49. Incident Investigation & Reporting
HOW DO I INVESTIGATE AN INCIDENT?
Call for first aid/emergency response
Survey the Scene/Secure the scene
Photograph the scene
Interview witnesses
Collect physical evidence
Follow Up
Before attempting to provide assistance to the victim make sure the scene is secure and any and all hazards have been controlled.
PPT 49

50. Investigation “Go Bag”
Some suggestions:
Camera
Flashlight
Tape Measure
Surgical Gloves
Necessary PPE
Note Pad/Tablet
“Sticky Notes”
Pens
When an incident occurs, you will want to be prepared.
An investigation “Go Bag” will provide ready access to essentials materials needed for an investigation.
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51. Goal of the investigation
IS NOT TO:
Exonerate individuals or management
Satisfy insurance requirements
Defend a position for legal argument
Assign blame
Remember, fact finding not fault finding
As the old television show and movie “Dragnet” Sergeant Joe Friday said, “Just the facts…”
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52. Photographs Why are photographs so important Support facts
Document scene
Become the “eyes” for people not in the field
May be required if litigated
Digital camera photos can be altered. If they are going to be used in litigation (in court) the person who took the picture must be present to testify to the photo’s authenticity.
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53. What Do You Photograph or Videotape?
Photo or Video
What Do You Photograph or Videotape?
Defects and Hazards
Unusual Conditions
Conditions that differ from what the employee describes
Areas or equipment in need of
maintenance
Housekeeping issues
When taking pictures or videotaping consideration should be given to potential evidence which will help to determine what happened and possibly why the incident occurred.
This evidence could include such things as :
Defects and Hazards
Unusual Conditions
Conditions that differ from what the employee describes
Areas or equipment in need of maintenance
Housekeeping issues
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54. Interviewing Victims & Witnesses
Interview as soon as possible after the incident
Do not interrupt medical care to interview
Interview each person separately
Do not allow witnesses to confer prior to interview
Interview witnesses as soon as possible after the incident occurs since facts are not forgotten or confused at that point.
Doing this will allow persons being interviewed not to be influenced by others’ statements and accounts.
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55. The Interview Put the person at ease. Take notes!
Do not make suggestions:
If the person is stumbling over a word or concept, do not help them out.
Ask open ended questions:
What did you see?
What happened?
Explain the purpose of the investigation.
People may be reluctant to discuss the incident, particularly if they think someone will get in trouble.
Reassure them that this is a fact finding process only.
Remind them these facts will be used to prevent a recurrence of the incident.
Word each question carefully and be sure the witness understands the question(s).
Record the exact words used by the witness to describe each observation.
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56. Sequence of Events Events leading up to the incident
Describe events of the incident
Events that happened immediately after the incident
Draw a chart of the events
ABC’s
Antecedent (i.e. preceding event, condition, or cause)
Behavior
Consequence
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57. The Interview Summarize what you have been told
Correct misunderstandings of the events between you and the witness
Ask the witness/victim for recommendations to prevent recurrence
These people will often have the best solution to the problem
Use active listening techniques:
Acknowledge witness’s statements
Clarify what was stated.
Check and verify you understand the speaker’s statements,
Promote continued dialog so other facts can become known toward solving the issue,
Improve empathetic listening to build rapport and to show you care,
At the same time, this will demonstrate you understand the points of their concern.
PPT 57

58. WHAT SHOULD I PUT IN MY REPORT?
Incident Investigation & Reporting
WHAT SHOULD I PUT IN MY REPORT?
All the facts, statements, documents, photos, etc. that were obtained during the investigation
Remember, no opinions (e.g. “I think that, I believe that”…)
Analysis of the cause
Corrective actions
What happened (sequence of events).
Determination of how and why failures occurred.
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59. Corrective Action
Told person involved to use common sense
Read safety policy to employee
Told co-worker to watch employee
Told employee to watch what they are doing
Do you think these are EFFECTIVE means of corrective action?
The statements listed are not considered effective corrective actions.
Obviously not - They do not really correct anything.
PPT 59

60. A Better Corrective Action
Discussed incident with employee, reviewed proper procedures, ensured employee’s understanding of procedures
Observed employee performing task to see if correct practices being followed
Discussed incident with all employees at the next department safety meeting
The statements listed are much more effective corrective actions because they actually involve providing information that should assist in preventing the incident from occurring in the future.
PPT 60

61. Incident Investigation & Reporting
What’s next?
Follow-up!
Ensure that corrective actions are being implemented.
Always follow-up to ensure that corrective actions provided are being used and have been implemented.
PPT 61

62. What is the initiating event in this picture?
Root Cause(s)
The Root Cause is the initiating event. Take
that away and the sequence of events that
follows does not happen
What is the initiating event in this picture?
Root Cause
The Root Cause is the event that initiated the situation.
PPT 62

63. WEED OUT THE CAUSES OF INJURIES AND ILLNESSES
Strains
DIRECT CAUSES OF INJURY/ILLNESS
Burns
Cuts
Unguarded machine
Horseplay
Broken tools
Create a hazard
Surface Causes of the Accident
Chemical spill
Ignore a hazard
Defective PPE
Fails to report injury
Untrained worker
Fails to inspect
Conditions
Behaviors
Lack of time
Fails to enforce
Too much work
Fails to train
Inadequate training
No recognition
If you pull a weed from the ground without removing the root, what will happen? The weed will come back perhaps more “hearty” than before!
So it is with addressing the Root Cause of incidents-you have to go beyond the surface issues and get to the root of what caused the incident.
Resist the temptation to look at surface causes only.
While one item may stand out as the reason an incident occurred, continue digging into the specifics of the situation to come to a definitive conclusion. Every avenue of investigation should be explored before coming to the conclusion the investigation is complete. To do otherwise neglects the possibility of uncovering corrective actions that might prevent future injuries.
Inadequate labeling procedures
No discipline procedures
No orientation process
Outdated Procedures
Inadequate training plan
No recognition plan
No accountability policy
No inspection policy
Root Causes of the Accident
PPT 86
PPT

64. Incident Investigation & Reporting
Successful Incident Investigation & Reporting begins with Trust and Candor
The witness must trust the motivation of the investigator(s) for candid answers to the questions to be given.
The investigator needs to keep an open mind to the statements the witness is making and not prematurely formulate ideas of what he/she thinks happened.
Determine the sequence of events by using cause and effect diagrams.
Requires competent investigators with experience in incident investigation techniques and procedures.
Investigators should have the capability to uncover the real cause of the incident.
Investigators should have the ability to determine how to prevent similar incidents from occurring including effective corrective action implementation.
PPT 64

65. Incident Investigation - Summary
First Aid & Emergency Response
Secure Scene
Photograph/Document Scene
Interviews/Statements
Review Records
Prepare a Report:
Include Causes & Effects
Include Corrective Actions
Follow-up!
Remember that the number one priority is to provide the victim of the incident with appropriate First Aid/Medical treatment after ensuring the scene is safe.
PPT 65

66. Near Miss What is a near miss and how to identify
Why near misses are important
How to encourage near miss reporting
For an effective Near Miss Reporting Program, educate employees on the what, why and how of reporting a near miss.
PPT 66

67. What is a Near Miss
Near Miss - is an unplanned event that did not result in injury, illness, or damage – but had the potential to do so. Only a fortunate break in the chain of events prevented an injury, fatality or damage
Simply defined, a Near Miss is something that could have resulted in injury, illness or damage but did not due to a fortunate break in the chain of events.
It is important that employees have an accurate definition and understanding of what a near miss is or they may not report them.
They may simply not identify them as a near miss.
Employers should consider having a Near Miss reporting system in place – a Near Miss investigated and mitigated leads to no incidents occurring later on.
PPT 67

68. Near Miss
Opportunity to improve safety practice based on condition or incident with potential for more serious consequence.
In this definition, “incident” or “condition” is anything a witness views worthy of addressing to eliminate potential to cause harm.
A Near Miss provides an opportunity to improve safety practices based on the condition or incident with potential for a more serious consequence.
PPT 68

69. Why Report A Near Miss? Reduces tolerance for risk.
Avoids complacency.
Provides a tool to identify workplace hazards.
Allows employee involvement in safety program.
Demonstrates management’s commitment to safety.
Allows identification of possible trends.
Additional reasons for a near miss reporting system includes:
Enables observation and resolution of issues in a timely manner
Reflects up-to-date information
Improves morale
Empowers employees
It’s proactive instead of reactive to incidents causing injury, illness and property damage
PPT 69

70. Why Report A Near Miss?
Reporting a near miss helps to establish and continue safe practices within the workplace.
Information provided enables an employer to communicate facts, causes and corrective actions to all employees regarding near misses.
Provides valuable information to employees about how to avoid/prevent future accidents and injuries.
Provides opportunity to improve safety, health, environment and security of operation.
Near Misses are the best leading indicators of incident potential.
They provide valuable information to employees about how to avoid/prevent future incidents and injuries because all the ingredients of an incident were present without an injury or illness occurring (a case study of sorts).
By having a comprehensive Near Miss reporting system, where near misses are not only recognized but also resolved properly, a company can expect to both reduce the number of incidents and improve the quality and productivity of it’s operations.
PPT 70

71. Near Miss Employees need to feel comfortable reporting near misses.
Employees should not fear disciplinary action or peer pressure by reporting.
Organization’s safety culture is such that reporting a near miss is important and necessary.
The issues of Peer Pressure and Discipline must be addressed.
Employers should consider having an anonymous near miss reporting system in place.
PPT 71

72. Near Miss Resolution
Not only important to resolve near misses to ensure potential incidents do not occur, but also essential to success of near-miss program.
If employees don’t think near misses are acted upon, they will not report in the future.
Resolutions should be promoted and tracked.
Near Misses have to be investigated and resolved to ensure no future incidents arise. The resolutions should be tracked and listed so that all employees can see what occurred and what was done. This also helps employees to realize that Management is paying attention to their safety.
PPT 72

73. Employee Substance Abuse Awareness & Prevention
Drug-Free Workplaces in PA
Employee Substance Abuse Awareness & Prevention
(ESAAP)
Drug–related accidental deaths have officially outnumbered those caused by car accidents for the first time since the government began collecting data on the behavior in the late 1970’s.
“OxyContin, Vicodin, Xanax and Soma” are the primary aggressors that led to the bulk of accidental deaths, even surpassing fatalities associated with drugs like heroin that typically take the blame for dangerous drug use.
Alcohol is still a problem with some employees even admitting that they drank and/or were drunk while on duty at least once during their employment.
PPT 73

74. The Unseen Reality Think PA’s workplaces are drug free? Think again.
75% of drug users are employed
Almost one in ten employees has a substance abuse problem
24% of workers admit to drinking during the workday at least once in the past year
15% of U.S. workers report using alcohol or being impaired on the job in the past year
The stereotype many people have of substance abusers probably calls to mind drug dealers, prostitutes, the homeless, and various unsavory elements of the criminal community. Most Americans might even protest when confronted with the statistic that 75% of drug users are employed.
Whether the public is willing to acknowledge the problem or not, it is a reality that substance abuse is impacting workplaces across the nation, and Pennsylvania is no exception to the rule. In fact, the statistics surrounding the effects of drug and alcohol use in the workplace are so compelling that failing to take any action against the problem is as good as condoning substance abuse.
PPT 74

75. The Cost of Substance Abuse
Increased Health Care Costs
Increased Workers’ Compensation Premiums
Increased Workplace Violence
Substance abuse can have a significant impact on a business in a variety of ways from an increase in workers’ compensation premiums to an increase in workplace violence.
In 2008, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reported $276 billion dollars were spent on substance abuse disorders in a single year. The majority of this resulted from an increase in the amount spent on healthcare as well as lost work productivity. Healthcare costs for individuals with substance abuse issues are often twice the amount of sober employees.
Even when an employee is not actively abusing substances at the worksite, their impaired actions off the clock can still have a negative impact on their employer. For example, consider that almost half of emergency room visits due to trauma are alcohol related. Increased utilization of emergent and urgent care facilities can dramatically increase an employers’ overall health insurance expenditures.
The Council of Alcohol and Drugs reports substance abuse related revenue losses can cost a company as much as $1000 per employee per year.
PPT 75

76. Substance Abuse
Individuals who abuse drugs or alcohol are three and a half times more likely to be involved in a workplace accident compared to individuals who do not abuse drugs or alcohol
47% of industrial injuries are directly related to alcohol abuse or alcoholism
Employees who suffer from substance abuse problems are notoriously more accident prone than their colleagues. Impaired staff are a danger to both themselves and others and can create expensive issues of liability for their employers.
Substance abuse can be categorized as an avoidable workplace hazard. Reducing the instance of substance abuse in the workplace makes the workplace safer, increases employee morale, improves employee health, reduces the burden substance abuse has on the community, and improves a business’s productivity, profit margin, and reputation.
Employers don’t need to let drugs and alcohol threaten their bottom line and put their employees at risk. Similar to workplace safety programs, prevention through education is the key to reducing risk and realizing success.
PPT 76

77. Drug-Free Workplace Policy
Accomplishes two major things:
1. Sends a clear message that use of alcohol and drugs in the workplace is prohibited
2. Encourages employees who have problems with alcohol and other drugs to voluntarily seek help
Having a Drug-Free Policy in the workplace is an important step to prohibiting impairment while on the job. The prohibition of the use of all drugs, including prescription, over-the-counter medication and alcohol should be included in the Policy.
PPT 77

78. Elements of ESAAP’s
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services encourages employers to help prevent hazardous substance abuse related accidents in the workplace by implementing an Employee Substance Abuse Awareness Program or ESAAP.
An ESAAP is a low cost high return intervention that any employer, big or small, can easily implement. A typical ESAAP will incorporate all of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service recommendations in a single cost effective intervention.
The information provided in an ESAAP is not just for employees engaged in substance abuse; rather, it provides benefits for all participating workers. For example, if there is someone abusing drugs and alcohol in or out of the workplace, the chances are high that there is a sober employee covering for them. Instead of feeling compelled to continuously hide the truth about the coworker’s low productivity or absenteeism for fear of being responsible for the future of their coworker’s job, the staff member may feel inspired to help teach the other employee the options available to those who suffer from substance abuse.
Studies have shown that employees of companies with an ESAAP are twice as likely to seek help for their addiction. Getting fired or suspended does not have to be the end result, but getting help can be.
PPT 78

79. A Safer, Drug-Free Workplace
Recognize the impact of alcohol and drug abuse on the workplace
Understand and follow the Drug-Free Workplace Policy
Know the types of assistance available
Visit the website for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), maintained by the US Department of Health and Human Services
It is important for all employees to realize the impact of alcohol and drug use within the workplace as well as what the employer’s Drug-Free Policy states. In addition, employees should be aware of the types of assistance available including miscellaneous websites and government educational information.
PPT 79

80. Additional Resources
To assist you in your program development, you can
contact us for your own PowerPoint copy of:
“Drug & Alcohol Awareness-Employee” and
“Drug & Alcohol Awareness-Supervisor”
Department of Labor and Industry
Bureau of Workers’ Compensation
Phone: (717)
The Bureau of Workers’ Comp has several presentations available which specifically relate to Drug & Alcohol Awareness. These presentations can be accessed through the PATHS initiative or by contacting a Health & Safety Training Specialist.
PPT 80

81. PA Training for Health and Safety
PATHS
PA Training for Health and Safety
PATHS is a “no fee” state-wide service providing Pennsylvania employers and employees with coordinated Health and Safety resources through easy access and affordability
The PATHS program is available to all employers within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and is a means to access no-fee safety related training for employees.
PPT 81

82. At the PATHS Website you can:
View Health & Safety Training PowerPoint briefings
Access “Safety Talks” (Toolbox Talks)
Review Course descriptions, objectives, and schedules
Employers can register online to participate in webinars and training sessions. Most sessions are free and are open to everyone
The PATHS website has many benefits and can be utilized by employers both inside and outside Pennsylvania.
PPT 82

83. PATHS To Access PATHS or or
“Individuals”
“Workers’ Compensation”
PATHS
PPT 83

84. Contact Information
To contact a Health & Safety Training Specialist:
Bureau of Workers’ Compensation
1171 South Cameron Street Room 324
Harrisburg, PA
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PPT 84

85. Webinar Documents PLEASE SEND SIGN-IN SHEETS AND EVALUATIONS TO:
Fax:
THANK YOU VERY MUCH!
PPT 85

86. Supporting Resources Related PowerPoints
Creating Effective Safety Committees
Accident Investigations
Hazard Identification
Effective Safety Committee Communication
Near Miss
Job Safety/Hazard Analysis
Safety Culture
Safety for Supervisors
Workplace Safety Committee Leadership
There are many other PowerPoint presentations available which deal with specific topics. Most of these PPT’s can be accessed using the PATHS website or by contacting the PA Health and Safety Division, Bureau of Workers’ Compensation.
PPT 86

87. Questions
?????
Questions
&
Answers
PPT 87