Promote Worker Participation
Encourage workers to participate in the various SMS programs: Encouraging involvement sends the message management values their input into safety and health decisions.
Encourage workers to participate in the safety and health program.
- Give workers the time and resources to participate in the program.
- Give positive recognition to those who participate in the program.
- Have an open-door policy that invites workers to talk to managers about safety and health.
- Make sure workers know participation will NEVER result in a negative action.
- Give workers access to safety data sheets, injury and illness data, inspection results and other reports.
- Include workers at every step of program design and implementation.
Encourage workers to report safety and health concerns: Employers can address issues before someone gets hurt or becomes ill by encouraging reporting and following up promptly on all reports.
- Establish a process for workers to promptly report injuries, illnesses, close calls/near misses, hazards, and other safety and health concerns.
- Respond to reports promptly.
- Empower all workers to initiate or request the suspension or shut down of any work activity or operation they believe to be unsafe.
- Involve workers in finding solutions to reported issues.
Remove barriers to participation: Workers must believe their input is welcome, their voices will be heard, and they can access reporting mechanisms.
- Ensure workers from all levels of the organization can participate regardless of their skill level, education, or language.
- Provide frequent and regular feedback to show employees that their safety and health concerns are being heard and addressed.
- Ensure that the program protects workers from being retaliated against for any form of participation in the safety and health program.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
2-2. What is a major barrier to effective employee participation in safety and health?
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