Characteristics of an Effective Safety Committee Meeting
Meetings Are Organized
The committee chair has planned the meeting. The meeting starts and ends on time. Committee members follow an agenda that includes new and old business. Every meeting includes some kind of training.
Surprise! The most effective committee meetings are composed of about 80% expected and 20% unexpected activities. It's always a little more interesting if members anticipate a "surprise" somewhere in the meeting.
Role and Purpose Are Understood
The shape of the meeting is a function of the perceived role the safety committee plays. The role of the safety committee answers the question, "Who are we?" The role also determines the purpose, or "what the safety committee does." It's very important that all members clearly understand what their role and purpose are.
Objectives and Completion Dates Are Set
Operational objectives are more than goals. Objectives state results that are observable, measurable, and completed within stated time limits.
For instance, you might want to increase awareness about the cost of accidents. An operational objective supporting this goal might be stated as, "Educate all employees in our plant about direct and indirect accident costs by the end of the year."
The Extent of Authority is Understood
The degree of authority may be determined by OSHA law and/or the employer. In any case, with authority comes accountability. Authority, accountability, role, and purpose are all interrelated. All must be clearly understood.
Create Standards of Behavior
Ground rules that shape the "committee culture" are extremely important. What are the commonly accepted norms of behavior during the meeting? Establishing and posting written ground rules will help keep the meeting effective. More on this later.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
8-2. When the safety committee establishes objectives, which outcomes should the objectives include?
You forgot to answer the question!