Reporting on safety outcomes is an essential part of any workplace safety program. It helps you measure the effectiveness of your risk management and control strategies, identify areas for improvement, and communicate your performance to stakeholders. But how do you report on safety outcomes in a clear, accurate, and meaningful way? Here are some tips to help you.
Before you can report on safety outcomes, you need to define what they are and how you will measure them. Safety outcomes are the results of your safety activities and interventions, such as reducing injuries, incidents, hazards, or costs. You should align your safety outcomes with your organizational goals and objectives, and use SMART criteria (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound) to set them. You should also choose appropriate indicators and metrics to track your progress and performance, such as frequency, severity, or duration of injuries or incidents.
Focus should be on preventive observation. Report the activities that happen before the near miss or injury. When preventive observations are done in large numbers it will later convert to safety culture which will eventually lead to better work safety and job satisfaction.
Once you have defined your safety outcomes, you need to collect and analyze your data to evaluate your performance. You should use reliable and valid sources of data, such as records, reports, surveys, audits, or inspections. You should also use consistent and standardized methods and tools to collect and analyze your data, such as forms, templates, software, or databases. You should apply relevant statistical techniques and methods to interpret your data, such as averages, trends, ratios, or benchmarks. You should also identify and explain any gaps, anomalies, or deviations from your expected or desired outcomes.
After you have collected and analyzed your data, you need to report your findings and recommendations to your stakeholders. You should use clear and concise language and format to present your information, such as charts, graphs, tables, or summaries. You should also use relevant and accurate references and citations to support your claims and arguments. You should highlight your achievements and successes, as well as your challenges and areas for improvement. You should also provide practical and realistic recommendations and action plans to address any issues or risks and improve your safety outcomes.
Before you finalize and share your report, you need to review and update it to ensure its quality and relevance. You should check your report for accuracy, completeness, consistency, and clarity. You should also proofread and edit your report for grammar, spelling, punctuation, and style. You should also solicit and incorporate feedback from your peers, managers, or experts to improve your report. You should also update your report regularly to reflect any changes or developments in your safety outcomes, data, or context.
Finally, you need to communicate and disseminate your report to your intended audience and purpose. You should consider the needs, expectations, and preferences of your stakeholders, such as employees, managers, customers, regulators, or investors. You should also use appropriate and effective channels and platforms to deliver your report, such as email, website, newsletter, or presentation. You should also engage and interact with your audience to share your insights, answer their questions, and solicit their feedback. You should also follow up and monitor the impact and outcomes of your report.
Communication and Team work is key to relaying of Safety outcomes The means of relating of such information form the initial, operation review and update should be such that it is Interactive and straight forward. Total knowledge of the team, strengths and weakness is necessary to create the right fit of a team that will serve as a backup at each stage and dot the I's through the reportage process.