Safety committees are valuable resources that are often overlooked by workplace management. It’s a mistake for companies not to have one or ignore the ideas your committee introduces. A safety and health committee’s purpose is to create a hazard-free workplace environment for all employees.
Any company can create a safety committee, and it’s not hard to do. However, it’s always helpful to know when one is needed and who should participate.
What Is a Safety Committee in the Workplace?
A safety committee is comprised of employees that are concerned about potential and real hazards in the workplace and are dedicated to workplace injury prevention. The committee encourages co-workers to follow current safety protocols and recommends best practices to mid and upper-level management.
What Is the Purpose of Having a Safety Committee?
There are two reasons why companies should have a safety committee. One is financial, and the other is a concern for employee safety. Fewer employee injuries lower premiums for workers’ compensation, and it also means a safer work environment for everyone.
Even though companies aren’t always able to keep accident totals to zero, having a safety committee can help lower injury rates.
When Is a Safety Committee Required?
Even though any company can benefit from having a safety committee, not all are required to have one. If your state is regulated by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), businesses aren’t required to have a safety committee. The federal agency oversees workplace safety and health.
There are exceptions for some businesses regulated by OSHA that require the implementation of safety committees. Companies can contact their regional OSHA office to see if it applies to them.
Types of Safety Committees
Your industry determines the relevant type of safety committee you might form and identifies best practices according to specific risks. However, some roles an industrial safety committee performs are the same regardless of the type of business.
- Creates practices and protocols to improve operational safety.
- Designs programs to orient and train employees on best safety practices.
- Trains employees in the practices.
- Improves employees’ understanding of workplace safety.
- Discusses safety concerns with employees and listen to theirs.
- Investigates all potential and actual safety events and keeps an updated report.
- Performs regular inspections and resolve problems that may risk employee safety.
- Revies all claim summaries and creates policies that effectively refute employee disputes on proffered settlements.
- Creates employee safety checklists.
- Advocates for employee safety
- Acts as a bridge between employees and upper-level management regarding safety concerns and resolutions.
- Design and lead emergency drills.
An effective safety committee also facilitates safety compliance management in accordance with regulations, both state and federal.
Establishing a Safety Committee
There are three steps companies need to follow to establish an effective safety committee.
- Gather information. OSHA regulations may already require a health and safety committee to meet specific compliance standards. The company may also have safety guidelines that need reviewing before the group is formed. Getting the necessary information before establishing the committee will make it more effective.
- Have a set agenda. Everything should be documented, including committee bylaws, procedures, and goals. A safety committee agenda should also include the group’s purpose. The bylaws should have specifications. For example, the date and time of the set safety committee meetings.
- Focus on recording all information. New safety committees must have a bylaw requiring that minutes be taken during all meetings. Without written documentation, there isn’t proof that a safety standard is implemented, or a risk identified.
How to Select Safety Committee Members
Safety committee members are the ones tasked with preventing employee injury and minimizing or eliminating workplace hazards. An effective safety committee is comprised of individuals that are dedicated to the group’s purpose.
Effective safety committees are comprised of both employees and management from different backgrounds. The goal is to create a group that represents all company employees, regardless of position.
Safety Committee Meeting Agenda Example
A productive safety meeting starts with having a set safety meeting agenda prepared. It helps the meeting flow smoothly so the group can accomplish their goals. An example of a safety committee meeting agenda is,
- Call member attendance
- Review the minutes of the last meeting
- Review any recent incident reports
- Review and discuss current inspection reports
- Review current goals and assignments
The above safety committee topics will help you regularly identify and address any OSHA incidents, and deal with safety issues promptly.
Form Effective Safety Committees with Guidance from Safety By Design
Establishing a safety committee makes sense in any business where there are potential hazards in the workplace. Worker compensation premiums are reduced when there are fewer employee injury claims. Most industries are also required to have safety protocols in place to meet compliance standards.
Whether your company needs help creating a safety committee or isn’t sure who to include as a member, the Houston safety consultants at Safety By Design are here to help. We can also provide you with information on OSHA requirements and OSHA-aligned training in Houston when relevant to your business.
