Management Messages
When management understands the importance of taking corrective action and making safety program improvements, and acts on recommendations consistently, it sends a very positive message about leadership to the workforce.
It tells workers the employer cares for and values every employee! When this message is clearly sent, employees are far more likely to put out the extra effort for the company which benefits everyone.
When management ignores or does not act to correct hazards in the work place, it sends a negative message the workforce. The message employees receive is that management doesn't care or value their employees. Through their words and actions, management convinces workers that corporate profits take priority over employee welfare. Managers communicate that they are willing to take an acceptable level of risk to the employees as a "unit of labor" rather than as a valuable human resource.
Right now, you might be rather intimidated by all this, but take heart; an effective recommendation doesn't have to meet all of the criteria above, and it doesn't have to be a massive document.
Problem: The guard rail in the warehouse has deteriorated to a point that it is unable to support any weight on it.
History: We had an incident on 6/13/06 where Joe Annon almost fell down the 10 steps because the guard rail did not support his weight. He fortunately caught himself before falling. We had a second near miss incident on 9/18/06 when Jane Doe tripped going up the stairs and grabbed for the rail which did not support her. Again, fortunately she caught herself before falling.
- Options to correct problem:
We have attempted to tighten and brace the rail but it continues to work itself loose. We took bids to replace the rail and the bids ranged from a high of $3,200 to a low bid of $1,500. We believe the xyz brand for $2,000 will prove to be the best material for our facility. The disadvantage to the lowest bid of $1,500 was it would not be guaranteed for outside weather conditions.
We budgeted "x" for off-site training classes and have secured a source for on-line no-cost training through OSHA that could save "X" dollars that could be applied toward part of the cost of the guard rail.
- Cost/Benefit:
ROI: Average cost of a severe injury is $9,700 which is very possible if one of our employees should fall from the second story of the warehouse to the concrete pad below. The estimated indirect cost is $17,500. Total accident cost is estimated to be $27,200. ROI will be approximately 1,360 percent!
Payback Period. I estimate that the probability of an accident occurring within the next two years as a result of this hazard is very high. Therefore, the payback period is based on 24 months. Our cost for corrective action is $2,000 and the pay back period would, therefore, be less than 2 months ($1,133/month).
Writing effective recommendations gets easier as you gain experience. It's the job of the person making the recommendation to "educate up" so that management understands the importance of making the right decision. Just remember, if you know what motivates your manager and you push the right buttons, you'll get results you want.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
7-8. What message does management send employees when they consistently ignore safety recommendations?
You forgot to answer the question!