Principle 1 of an injury/illness plan – The Buck Stops Here
(The views and opinions expressed in this blog are strictly those of the author.)
Harry Truman, who became commander-in-chief following the death of Franklin Roosevelt, had a sign on his desk for White House visitors to see. It read, “The Buck Stops Here.”
It’s fitting that we bring into focus Truman’s renowned dictum as we appraise the first of eight principles of an injury/illness prevention program (IIPP). Principle 1 is all about having a dogmatic commitment from the president of your company concerning OSHA safety. The same brand of pledge that she/he made towards the 1996 Mega Reg. If this commitment isn’t made and not consistently supported, then your communal effort to eradicate injuries/illnesses to manageable levels shall be quixotic.
With the fervor of Geronimo on horseback amid the insistence of Rommel in his tank, a mission statement from your president proffering her/his inveterate commitment to a safe, healthy workplace must be communicated to everyone. Truman relied on qualified, knowledgeable cabinet members and military generals to get his messages across that ended WW II. So must your president. Delegating responsibility to qualified plant management and supervisors who’ve been trained and educated in OSHA safety is a must.
With responsibility comes accountability. Principle I includes selecting the right people with the right stuff to be your safety coordinators/safety officers. They must be educated in OSHA safety with the objective to creating and maintaining a safe and healthy working environment.
There’s an abundance of OSHA seminars across these United States where you can begin the education process for your OSHA team. Devote yourselves to OSHA safety like you do each day towards quality control. Your collective efforts towards reducing injuries and illnesses will then begin to be realized.
Like HACCP, form an OSHA committee that meets and discusses events that have transpired since your last meeting. Create quorum, record minutes, and file your records for future references.
IIPP Coordinator
ü Sets safety policies. Provides leadership/information updates. Liaises with governmental and workers compensation agencies. Assures records are maintained. Determines needs for authoritative safety references while procuring and distributing them. Coordinates loss control activities. Critiques program evaluations.
Safety Managers
ü Inspects and appraises workplace hazards. Works with management/IIPP coordinator to develop methodologies for abating workplace hazards. Validates hazards were abated. Investigates accidents. Reviews accident reports/corrective actions. Assures corrective actions were taken. Implements recognition programs for employees who exhibit commendable safety performances.
By launching your OSHA program with an IIPP that has been erected on a bedrock foundation of educated, knowledgeable people, you’re well on your way down the yellow brick road to stopping your tsunami of bucks to insurance companies.
As these 8 principles continue to unfold, you’ll perceive that an IIPP is as indigenous to HACCP as the boomerang is to the quintessential Australian weapon. Epiphanies?
Question and Answer with Steve Sayer
Originally posted by Roger Dunn
Steve, I have been following your blogs and must admit….. I’m addicted. Its amazing how something as important as employee safety can be overlooked. From the experience you have with OSHA, what is the fine (approximately) for an inadequate IIPP program or not having a program period?
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Like the FSIS/USDA, OSHA will cite your company with a written non-compliance record (OSHA calls their NR’s a Safety Code Violation), but daisy-chained to that written Safety Code Violation are monetary fines.
In the state of California the cash fine is approximately $7000.00 for not having an Injury and Illness Prevention Programs (IIPP). Other applicable states may vary. In the past, I’ve received numerous calls from companies that have been visited by CAL/OSHA and needed a written IIPP program within a week’s time. IIPP templates can be downloaded free from the internet (just punch in on your search button Injury and Illness Prevention Program) in both Spanish and English. Other options can be to hire independent OSHA consultants to customize an IIPP program for your company’s unique needs. It is truly amazing how many California companies regardless of the industry at hand, are still not aware of the July 1, 1991 law (SB-198) that mandates a written and verifiable IIPP program. Thanks for your safety blog!
Post edited by Steve Sayer: March 11, 2010 12:47 PM
