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700 Introduction to Safety Management
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Accountability

Introduction

Accountability ranks right at the top with management commitment as a critical element in a company's safety and health management system.

Does this picture show an unsafe practice? Yes!

Accountability is one of the answers to the question, "why do we behave the way we do in the workplace?" So, it's important that we understand what it is and how it should work as part of the safety management system.

Management may impose all kinds of safety policies, programs, written plans, directives, rules, and training for employees. However, these efforts won't be effective unless there's a culture of accountability where appropriate consequences are applied. Only in such a culture will desired behaviors be sustained. Ultimately, employees need to know that they will be held accountable for their decisions and actions; otherwise, any safety management efforts are likely to fail.

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

2-1. Desired safety behaviors will occur with the application of _____.