Step 4 – Evaluation of Safety Group Elements
Step 4 – Evaluation of Safety Group Elements
Achieving an Element
Implement 5 Steps to Managing Health & Safety:1. Written standard 2. Communication3. Training 4. Evaluate 5. Acknowledge success and/or make
improvements
Step 4 – Evaluation of Safety Group Elements
Why Evaluate?• To assess what’s working & what’s not working
in your health & safety program• Review your accident/incident performance• Address workplace culture issues i.e. employee
participation, supervisor support, functional JHSC• Good opportunity to review records re:
standards, communication & training
Objectives
A. Methods of Evaluation• 10 examples of best practices observed in Safety
Group member firms/workplaces• You are not restricted to these 10 methods
B. Method of Recording/Documenting EvaluationA. Documentation is key• Document all forms of evaluation• Aim to complete evaluation by year- end • But can complete by March of following year prior to
spot checks starting.• Must still have written plan of ‘how’ & ‘when’
elements will be evaluated by year-end• Example of documentation
Step 4 - Evaluation of Safety Group Elements
10 Best Practices/Examples• Observations• Interview/survey employees• Quiz • Scheduled workplace/site/shop
inspections or tours• Joint Health & Safety Committee• Management Team Review• Internal audit• Checklists• Injury/incident statistical analysis• Third party review/audit
Observations
• Decide who and what will be observed• Physically observe activity being done, such as
lock-out/tag-out• Conducted by supervisor and/or JHSC• Provide immediate feedback to employee• Can be used in conjunction with annual
performance reviews
Observations
Example Observation Record:Forklift ProceduresToday’s Date:Observers’ Name:Workers’ Name:
Pre-Operation CheckGeneral Operation: operating around personnel, reversing, parkingload handling: pick-up, placement, stacking, re-stockingloading / unloadingoperational maintenance: refueling
Immediate Feedback:
Recommendations:
Interview/Survey Employees
• Able to address all elements simultaneously• Need to determine your objectives• Identify required amount of participation • Develop list of questions relating to elements and your objectives• Questions can either be asked verbally one-on-one with staff or by paper handout•Effectiveness depends on analysis of the quiz•Improvements can be based on the gaps identified in your analysis•Share results with participants
Interview/Survey Employees
Example Interview/Survey Questions:
Do you know where the JHSC member names & minutes are kept?Yes Don’t know
How does our workplace health & safety program compare to your previous employer’s health & safety program?
If you need first aid treatment do you know who to notify?Yes Don’t know
If you are going to be absent from work due to injury, what are your responsibilities?
Employee Quiz• Able to address all elements simultaneously• Need to determine your objectives• Identify required amount of participation & whether participation is mandatory or voluntary• Develop list of questions relating to elements and your objectives• Questions listed in quiz format: multiple choice, true or false, fill in the blanks, etc.•Effectiveness depends on analysis of the quiz•Improvements can be based on the gaps identified in your analysis•Share results with participants
Quiz•See Appendix F & GExample Quiz Questions:Is PPE checked regularly for wear or defects, and replaced immediately if necessary?Yes NoDon’t know
The hazard reporting procedures allows for immediate reporting and corrective action without waiting for the next round of regular inspections.Yes NoDon’t know
Is the Health & Safety Representative selected by the owner?Yes NoDon’t know
Scheduled Workplace/Site/Shop Inspectionsor Tour
• include all 5 elements in monthly inspection report/checklist
• ensure JHSC/representative or supervisor understands
Scheduled Workplace/Site/Shop Inspectionsor Tour
• See Appendix A
Joint Health & Safety Committee
• JHSC must be an active participant in the safety group initiatives since the start of year
• Provide JHSC all pertinent information: meeting minutes, inspection reports, injury statistics, supervisor’s comments, training records, etc
• Discussion to identify areas of improvement for next year and areas of success
Joint Health & Safety Committee
• See Appendix B
Management Review
• Management & supervisors must be aware and involved in safety group initiatives during the year
• Hold meeting • Present to management team the progress of
the 5 elements and necessary documentation• Discussion to identify areas of improvement for
next year and areas of success
Management Review
• See Appendix B
Internal Audit
• Measure organization against external standard such as Workwell Evaluation or corporate audit
• Use entire audit or use portions of audit that apply to your element selection
Internal Audit
Sample Guidelines from Workwell:
• Early & Safe Return to Work– Roles & responsibilities– Contact with injured
worker– Medical monitoring and
treatment– Provisions for modified
work– Re-integration of the
worker to regular work– Reporting requirements to
WSIB
• Action Required with Target Dates– policy required:
including roles & responsibilities
Checklist Format
• Identify in advance how and what will be evaluated
• Excellent resource document for year-end documentation
Checklist
• See Appendix C, D and E• RTW Self-Assessment Guide
Injury/Incident Statistical Analysis
• Opportunity to measure the impact of completed elements on the injury/incident rates in the workplace
• Consider using:– a historical comparison against previous years– a comparison by locations or branches within
business– a comparison to your rate group
Injury/Incident Statistical Analysis
• Analyze key indicators in your workplace:– Lost-time injuries– No lost-time injuries– Near misses– Duration of WSIB claims
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Third Party
• Use the services of a third party, such as corporate auditor, health & safety association, fellow safety group member to evaluate program in the workplace
• Address all elements at same time• Auditor will provide clear insight and
recommendations for improvement
Good Ideas
• Consider the element being evaluated• Include benchmarks in your written standards• Ask supervisors to keep log books/checklists if
involved in observations• Negative results present opportunities for
improvement• Document, Document, Document