6 Steps For An Effective Workplace Safety Committee
An effective workplace safety committee, led by a skilled and respected leader and composed of a diverse team from labor and management, is established through six key steps—including writing a mission statement, setting adaptable goals, meeting regularly, and securing necessary resources—to design and implement safety programs that enhance employee engagement, training, compliance, and overall workplace safety.
What is a safety committee?
A safety committee is a group of employees and managers who create and implement safety programs. Good safety committees increase employee engagement with company policies and practices, improve training, help new staff members establish good habits, and protect the company from compliance violations.
If you are in charge of setting up a safety committee at your organization and are unsure where to start, here is a simple checklist.
The Swipeclock Guide to Creating a Safety Committee
- 1.Appoint a skilled leader (or co-leaders)
- 2.Write a mission statement
- 3.Assemble a diverse team (labor + management)
- 4.Set goals and review/adapt regularly
- 5.Meet at least once a month
- 6.Secure the resources to carry out your objective
What does a safety committee do?
- Design training programs
- Conduct training
- Create checklists
- Increase employee safety awareness
- Encourage employees to bring up safety concerns
- Investigate events (accidents, close calls)
- Write safety manuals
- Conduct inspections
- Correct issues that could cause accidents
- Discuss claims
- Write policies for dispute resolutions
- Advocate for employees
- Solicit employee involvement
- Improve legal compliance
Let’s explore the 6 steps.
Assign a Director
The leader can make or break your committee. Your point person needs a combination of attributes. Can they inspire their co-workers? Do they follow through? Are they respected by their peers? Do they understand all the departments, equipment, and processes? If you can’t find the optimal chairperson, consider appointing co-chairs: a confident leader/communicator and a capable person to execute on the plans.
Write a Mission Statement
This is your guiding principle. It gives you your purpose. It doesn’t need to be lengthy.
Don’t Silence Any Voices
Everyone doesn’t have to agree on how to fulfill the mission. You don’t want a group of like-minded people. The only thing everyone needs is a commitment to improvement. Don’t count out those who criticize management. A variety of viewpoints is preferable. You want a no-holds-barred discussion so you can solve tough problems.
Your purpose is a safe workplace where staff members watch out for each other, management supports the personnel, and workers trust management. You may not reach the goal of zero accidents and injuries, but when there is a concern, you will handle it better.
Getting Started
Meet regularly, at least every month. Make sure everyone puts it on their calendar.
Set ground rules for discussion. Model respectful dialog and expect the same in return.
Set short- and long-term goals. Prioritize them and create a timeline for addressing them. If you have recurring issues, address those.
Mix It Up
Rotate membership in and out of the group. Switch roles inside the committee. Stay flexible, though. If you have a star performer who really owns their role, let them go for it and thank them for their dedication!
A safety committee can make a difference:
- Fewer injuries and accidents
- Lower worker’s comp premiums
- Employees taking responsibility for safety
- Employees making fewer mistakes
- Improved communication between labor and management
- Employee participation
- Improved unity and morale
- Fewer safety violations and penalties
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