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716 Safety Management System Evaluation
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Safety Management Systems Structure

Safety Committee (SC)

In some states, including Oregon, Washington, and Minnesota, employers are required or encouraged by state OSHA regulations to have safety committees.

Safety committees act as the "eyes and ears," for safety managers by collecting data.

Consultants - Not Cops

Even when safety committees are not required by OSHA regulations, it's still smart business to have one. This in-house consultant team acts as the "eyes and ears," for the SM by collecting data. See if your state OSHA requires a safety committee.

Safety committees help the SM identify, analyze, and evaluate the design and performance of the SMS. They provide data to the safety manager, safety engineer and human resource coordinator. The committee usually submits recommendations and reports to the safety manager.

Programs that safety committees may be involved with include:

  • Incident/Accident Analysis Program
  • Accountability System
  • Safety Inspection Program

Duties to which safety committees may be assigned include:

  • Conducts safety inspections
  • Evaluate the accountability system
  • Develop incident and accident procedures
  • Ensure effective reporting of concerns
  • Observe conditions and behaviors
  • Conduct surveys and interviews

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

1-6. What role should the safety committee perform in the company?