20: Safety and Health Programs
“The first question which the priest and the Levite asked was: 'If I stop to help this man, what will happen to me?' But...the good Samaritan reversed the question: 'If I do not stop to help this man, what will happen to him?” ― Martin Luther King Jr.
Overview
In the prior chapters we have looked at specific standards that address specific workplace hazards. However it is not sufficient for employers to just train employees on workplace hazards and the associated safety standards, there must be a systematic, consistent approach to keeping workplaces safe. OSHA requires employers to implement safety and health programs. The operative word is “programs”. This simply means there must be a documented or written, logical and consistent process that raises employee awareness of occupational health and safety hazards and the associated standards necessary for keeping workplaces safe.
Chapter Objective:
- Discuss best practices for establishing an effective health and safety program.
- Identify typical health and safety programs required in most workplaces.
Learning Outcome:
- Describe the goals and benefits of an effective safety and health program.
Standards: General Duty Section 5(a)(1)
Key Terms:
Compliance, IIPP, regulatory, plan, practices, program, programmatic, sustainable
Mini-Lecture: Safety and Health Programs
Topic Required Time: 1 hrs; Independent Study and reflection 3/4 hour.
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