Safety Programs &
Accident Prevention Plans

Effective safety programs depend on the credibility of management's involvement in the safety program; inclusion of employees in safety and health decisions; rigorous worksite analysis to identify existing safety hazards and potential hazards, including those which could result from a change in worksite conditions or practices; stringent prevention and control measures; and thorough training. A good safety program includes an accident prevention plans to addresses hazards whether or not they are regulated by government standards.

Sample Safety Programs
   Bloodborne Pathogen Safety Program
   Lockout-Tagout Safety Program
   Fire Prevention Safety Program

Member Areas Safety Manual Chapters & Programs

Accident Prevention Plan  Accident Investigation  Accident Reporting  Aerial-Scissor Lift  Air Contaminants  Asbestos Program  Audits & Inspections  Back Safety  Bloodborne Pathogen  Boiler Safety  Committees  Compressed Air  Compressed Air Storage Tanks  Compressed Gas  Compressed Gas Cylinders  Concrete Mix & Pour  Confined Spaces  Construction Site Safety Manual  Contractor Safety  Crane & Hoist Safety  Critical Lift Program  Defensive Driving  Demolition Safety  Drug Free Workplace  Dry Ice Safety   Electrical Safety  Excavation  Fall protection - Construction  Fall Prevention- Gen Industry  Fire Safety Program  Fire Prevention Plan (alt)  Flammable Liquids  Fleet (CDL) Safety  Forklift Safety   General Safety Policies  Hazard Communication  Hazmat Trans Security  Hearing Conservation  Heat Stress Prevention  Hot Work - Welding  Housekeeping  Hydro-blasting  Job Safety Analysis & SOPs  Lab Safety Program  Ladder Safety  Laser Safety  Lead -general industry  Lockout - Tagout   Machine Safety  Medical Management  Medical Record Access  Metalworking Fluids  Non-Ionizing Radiation  Office Safety    Passenger Vehicle Policy  Personal Protective Equipment  Powered Carts & Low Speed Vehicles

Respiratory Protection  Return to Work  Safety Harnesses  Safety Training  Safety Rules  Scaffolds  Slings & Chains  Tool Safety  Universal Waste Program  Unsafe Conditions  Vehicle Safety  Workplace Violence Industry Specific Safety Programs Small Business Safety Program Air Courier Businesses Air Transportation Aircraft Engine Repair Airports, Flying Fields Aluminum Foundries Amusement & Recreation Services Armature Rewinding Facilities Auto Exhaust System Shops Auto Repair Shops Boat Building & Repair Bottling Industry Safety Brick, Stone Materials Building Cleaning & Maintenance Carpentry Services Carwashes Churches Commercial Printing Electrical Work Gasoline Service Stations General Warehouse & Storage Grocery Stores Hardware Stores Hotels & Motels Laundry Facilities Local Trucking Services Lumber, Plywood & Millwork Boat Marinas Car Rentals Services Pest Control Services Photo Finishing Laboratories Physical Fitness Facilities Radio & Television Broadcasting Equipment Refuse Services Security Systems Services Sheet Metal Fabrication Steel Erection Steel Works & Blast Furnace Television Broadcasting Tree Services Wrecking & Demolition Services

Why Written Safety Programs?

OSHA has concluded that effective written safety programs, accident prevention plans as well as management of worker safety and health protection is a decisive factor in reducing the extent and the severity of work-related injuries and illnesses.

Measuring the results of workplace safety programs and health changes benefits employers and employees because both gain confidence that the change results in a safer workplace. Since most changes occur by trial and error or in stages, information about the effectiveness of each stage is naturally helpful to the process. These changes often result in increased productivity and demonstrate that employee safety programs and health can be a good investment.

One of the most important roles of managers is to send their employees home in as good a condition as when they arrived at work; free from injuries or illnesses due to work related incidents. 

In 1970 Congress created the Occupational Safety Heath Administration (OSHA) under the Occupational Safety and Health Act.  President Richard M Nixon signed the act into effect on December 29, 1970.  OSHA's mission is to ensure safe and healthful workplaces in America.   Penalties for non-compliance can range from $0 to $200,000, depending on the probability of the violation resulting in serious harm to workers.  If a company is charged with repeat or willful violations, the penalties and fines can be even stiffer. Effective safety programs including an accident prevention plan help ensure compliance with the law.

In addition to ensuring a safer workplace, an effective safety program and accident prevention plans can decrease workplace injuries and illnesses, reduce lost time, increase compliance with the law and lower insurance costs.  Effective safety programs can also help build employee morale, commitment and trust. 

Effective safety programs and accident prevention plans can also help improve a company’s public image.  Public perception is extremely important in today’s workplace.  No company can afford to be perceived as unsafe, and companies have responsibilities to their employees as well as responsibilities to the community and to society as a whole.  Effective safety programs and accident prevention plans help ensure that a company maintains a reputation for good stewardship.

Having a company that is recognized for its good safety performance can also help in recruiting and retaining highly skilled and talented individuals.   Bottom line, in today’s competitive environment, no company can afford an unsafe workplace.

Basic components of a comprehensive safety program and accident prevention plan includes such things as:

-         Clearly established safety program goals and objectives

-         Implementation plans with actions, responsibilities, and timeframes

-         Written safety policies and safety procedures

-         Ongoing communications, education/training, and safety meetings

-         Workplace/job hazard safety analysis process

-         Employment/job related medical requirements

-         Effective safety performance measures

-         On-going evaluations, safety audits, and job safety inspections

-         Corrective action process for identified safety hazards/deficiencies

-         Recognition/rewards/incentives

-         Disciplinary process

-         Documentation and recordkeeping

-         Employee assistance program

-         Employee involvement/a workforce that owns its safety program

 

More detailed information and topic specific
written safety programs are in the Members Area