Expressions of Management Commitment
Management commitment is a key and perhaps the most important controlling factor in determining whether any worksite hazard control effort will be successful.
Management commitment is more than just "support." Support is merely talk, but real commitment is expressed by actually backing up that talk with action which takes time and money.
Management commitment can be expressed in a variety of ways. Lessons learned from NIOSH case studies of ergonomic hazard control efforts in the meatpacking industry emphasize the following points regarding evidence of effective management commitment:
Policy statements are issued that:
- Treat ergonomic efforts as furthering the company's strategic goals.
- Expect full cooperation of the total workforce in working together toward realizing ergonomic improvements.
- Assign lead roles to designated persons who are known to "make things happen."
- Give ergonomic efforts priority with other cost reduction, productivity, and quality assurance activities.
- Have the support of the local union or other worker representatives.
- Allow full discussion of the policy and the plans for implementation.
- Set concrete goals that address specific operations and give priority to the jobs posing the greatest risk.
Resources are committed to:
- Train the workforce to be more aware of ergonomic risk factors for MSDs.
- Provide detailed instruction to those expected to assume lead roles or serve on special groups to handle various tasks.
- Bring in outside experts for consultations about start-up activities and difficult issues at least until in-house expertise can be developed.
- Implement ergonomic improvements as may be indicated.
- Provide release time or other compensatory arrangements during the workday for employees expected to handle assigned tasks dealing with ergonomic concerns.
It's important to furnish information to all those involved in or affected by the ergonomic activities. Misinformation or misperceptions about such efforts can be damaging: If management is seen as using the program to gain ideas for cutting costs or improving productivity without equal regard for employee benefits, the program may not be supported by employees. For example, management should be up-front regarding possible impacts of the program on job security and job changes. All injury data, production information, and cost considerations need to be made available to those expected to make feasible recommendations for solving problems.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
1-3. Which of the following best illustrates a real commitment to an ergonomics program?
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