Importance of Written Safety Plans
Written safety plans/programs (WSP) identify and assign responsibilities to all employees at every level from managers, supervisors, and employees. A WSP will also help to control or avoid hazards.
Even if there's no clear regulatory requirement for a WSP, having one can benefit your business in ways besides compliance. After all, the main goal is to prevent workplace injuries, illnesses or deaths that would cause harm and financial hardship to your workers, their families, and your organization.
WSP’s help businesses:
Prevent workplace injuries and illnesses.
Improve compliance with laws and regulations.
Reduce costs, including significant reductions in workers' compensation premiums.
Engage workers.
Enhance their social responsibility goals.
Increase productivity and enhance overall business operations.
Required by OSHA
Not all OSHA regulations require WSP’s, but many do. When OSHA considers a safety or health hazard to be serious, the agency usually requires written documentation of the steps an employer takes to counteract the hazard.
Take a look at the list below of some General Industry regulations requiring WSP’s. As you can see, the list covers some of the most serious hazards faced by workers today, including, but not limited to, chemical exposures, process explosions, fire, electrocution, and bloodborne pathogens.
Corporate Safety Policy (OSHA Best Practice)
Hazard Communication Program (29 CFR 1910.1200)
Emergency Action Plan (29 CFR 1910.38)
Fire Prevention Plan (29 CFR 1910.39)
Lockout/ Tagout Program (29 CFR 1910.147)
Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure Program (29 CFR 1910.1030)
Respiratory Protection Program (29 CFR 1910.134)
Hearing Conservation Program (29 CFR 1910.95)
Permit Required Confined Space Program (29 CFR 1910.146)
Spill Response Plan (29 CFR 1910.120)
Laboratory Chemical Safety Plan (29 CFR 1910.1450)
How often should we update our safety plans?
Although most OSHA standards only require the business to update policies when things change, we don’t always recognize those changes when they happen. For this reason, there should be a pre-planned review time for safety plans. Just as annual health checkups are important for a person’s health, an annual review of your WSPs just makes good sense.
Start by reading each WSP individually. Pay particular attention to the designated person(s) named as the Safety Officer and their responsibilities, and make sure they are still the best ones to handle the job. Following the review, initial and date in the applicable section of the plan.
Can OSHA cite and/or fine a company?
Because OSHA mandates WSPs for various standards, if a company either does not have one or it is incomplete or outdated, that company can be cited. OSHA considers this a “Serious” violation. Employers can face up to $15,625 per violation, though inspectors usually reduce the penalty. OSHA Penalties | Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
If you are unsure of how to move forward, contact us for assistance.