The Six Elements of an Effective Accountability System
Accountability is one of the most important elements within the safety management system.
The safety manager and safety committee may use the guidelines in the six elements of an accountability system to help design, develop, and deploy an effective accountability system. With that in mind, let's take a look at each of the six elements.
Element 1: Formal Standards of Performance
To ensure effective accountability in an SMS, employers should first establish formal performance standards that:
- Clearly state safety policies and disciplinary procedures in writing, making them available to everyone.
- Educate all employees on these policies and procedures.
- Require initial and annual certification that employees have read, understand, and will comply with safety policies and procedures.
If performance standards are not established and clearly communicated to employees, an effective accountability system is impossible. Management may not be justified in administering discipline without clearly written and communicated standards.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
2-3. Management may NOT be justified in administering discipline _____.
You forgot to answer the question!