OSHA's Weighty Decisions

In September 2019 OSHA announced the decision to apply different weights for different hazards (I paraphrased for clarity). They take a look at a workplace hazard to determine the time needed to make corrections while considering the impact on workplace production, and considering the impact to a workers health and safety. For decades I have worked with clients to help them do this on their own so that when and if OSHA shows up they can be confident in and successful.

The cornerstone of every internal safety process is the ability of a workforce that can take action to correct unsafe conditions immediately or at least as soon as possible. Every situation is different and in every situation involving at least two people you will likely find an equal amount of opinions to the impact on production and personnel. It is vital that we train everyone in the workplace and continually visit the topic of hazard recognition and control regularly.

In my hazard recognition workshop discussions usually turn to opinions with a full range of risk analysis by participants. Each person comes to an inspection team with predisposed opinions that stem from several elements including knowledge, experience, and personal risk acceptance. This is a paradigm that is difficult to overcome. Some leaders believe that simple saying, "if you see a hazard, fix-it!" is enough to prompt personnel to take action, but I have learned that it requires knowledge, motivation, encouragement, and accountability.

The question for every individual should be, "Am I committed to creating a workplace where it is difficult to get hurt?"

The responsibility of the organization is to provide training that drives the ability for every employee to engage in safety successfully. In my Hazard Recognition and Control Workshop (hazardrecognition.com) that is my goal. My clients see increased engagement because following the workshop personnel "see" hazard in a different way, believe they are responsible, and feel more accountability.

Every organization must take action if it expects to be successful when OSHA shows up. Having confident individuals who are continually engaged in reducing the number of hazards, and reducing the impact of hazards necessary for to meet safety, quality, and production goals is key to being successful in an OSHA audit. If you would be open to a conversation about improving your organization's ability to create a workplace where it is difficult to get hurt, reach out to me at [email protected]