Hazard correction

Hazards that threaten the security of workers shall be corrected in a timely manner based on severity when they are first observed or discovered. Corrective measures for Type I workplace security hazards can include 

Using surveillance measures, such as cameras or mirrors, to provide information as to what is going on outside and inside the workplace 

Posting of emergency telephone numbers for law enforcement, fire, and medical services where workers have access to a telephone with an outside line 

Posting of signs notifying the public that limited cash is kept on the premises 

Limiting the amount of cash on hand and using time access safes for large bills 

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Implement a system to report and track hazards correction actions. 

Provide quick feedback about the status of hazard correction. 

Permit supervisors and experienced employees to initiate hazard correction actions. 

List at least three hazard correction techniques. 

A monthly safety meeting will be conducted on each worksite/jobsite to provide affected parties with relevant information concerning existing or potential worksite hazards, corrective actions, and/or abatement. Minutes from these meetings should be recorded and a copy sent to the corporate safety office. The following parties should attend these monthly safety meetings ... 

In VPP, the section on Tracking of Hazard Correction states the following This system must include methods for Recording and prioritizing hazards and Assigning responsibilities, timeframes for correction, interim protection, and follow-up to ensure abatement. Note that it is hazards that are to be prioritized. That cannot be properly done if the probability of an incident occurring because a hazard s potential has been realized is not considered. 

Develop a system that tracks and makes sure that there is timeliness hazard correction. Many sites have been successful in building this in with an already... 

You can involve your employees in the management system and safety program by having them conduct regularly scheduled, routine physical surveys using a checklist. Make sure that employees have adequate and appropriate training also, employees should be expected to help with decisions about hazard correction as well as hazard identification. 

Sometimes the committees only receive reports from other committees on selected activities and monitor hazard correction and program effectiveness [7]. This will depend on your workplace. 

The central safety committee is an oversight committee with an interest in every part of the safety program. It sometimes serves as the hazard correction tracking management system. It is sometimes known as a follow-up committee. In this case, the committee receives reports of all inspections, incident investigations, and hazards reported by employees, and makes sure that all reported hazards are tracked until they are resolved [7]. 

Safety observers usually work with the area supervisor to get hazards corrected. Normally, they do their inspection alone. Some companies periodically bring together their safety observers to brainstorm problems or ideas that extend beyond the individual work areas. For your safety... 

Establish an inspection system, for example, self-inspections, and review the results periodically to make sure that the proper and timely hazard corrections are made... 

Make sure that hazard correction procedures are in place... 

These systems are used to help track hazards corrective actions preventive maintenance systems emergency preparation and medical programs [2]. Refer to Figures 11-1 and 11-2 for an overview of how a hazard control system works. 

An essential part of any safety system is the correction of hazards that occur despite the overall prevention and eontrol procedure. Documentation is important so that management and employees have a record of the correction. Many companies use the form that documents the original discovery of a hazard to traek its eorreetion. Hazard correction information can be noted on an inspection report next to the hazard description. 

Many companies use forms that document hazards identified for the purpose of developing a corrective action plan. Inspection reports include discussions about hazard correction along with the information about the hazard. Forms that employees use to report hazards and incidents should provide a space for description of the action plan. Refer to Chapter 11 and Appendix B for more detail. Notice that each of these forms has a line for corrective actions [2], Refer to Table 11-6 for a sample pohcy for employees to report hazards. Appendix C provides other forms for employees to report various hazards. 

The work order system for reporting hazards is not sufficient if used alone. Although it can lead to hazard correction, it cannot correct unsafe practices or at-risk behaviors. In addition, the system is not useful for encouraging imaginative new approaches to improving conditions and procedures [2]. 

As we discussed in Chapter 10, sometimes hazards cannot be completed in a reasonable amount of time— for example, parts or materials must be ordered, requiring a wait of several months. You need to provide your employee with the status of the report from time to time. This will send a message that the employee s concerns have not been forgotten. One important note this program will not work if employees cannot see hazards corrected in a reasonable amount of time. Another important consideration is that when the preferred corrective activities cannot be accomplished immediately, you must provide your employees interim protection until the hazard is completed. You must take whatever steps are necessary to temporarily minimize the hazard during the abatement stage of the process [2],... 

All employees should be able to report hazards without reprisal. When a good safety culture is in place, managers are properly trained and accept their responsibility for safety. Informal oral reporting of hazardous conditions should occur naturally. When an employee s concerns appear valid, management must have the responsibility to correct the hazard, request corrective action by maintenance or other resources, or ask for assistance from a safety professional. Most workplaces encourage this type of reporting. Used alone, it does not provide for hazard correction tracking. Nor does it enable you to look for trends and patterns. 

To complement hazard controls, you also must have good management systems that involve preventive maintenance hazard correction tracking a fair and consistent enforcement of rules, procedures, work practices, and PPE a solid system for responding to unexpected emergencies and a good medical program that helps to identify hazards and minimize harm if injuries and work-related illnesses occur [2]. 

The site review also may reveal hazards. Be careful that this review does not become a routine inspection, with emphasis only on hazard correction. If a serious hazard is identified during the tour, take the necessary steps to make sure that it is corrected. In addition, ask what management systems should have prevented or controlled the hazard. Determine why the system failed, and either recommend changes or take other appropriate corrective measures. Refer to Chapter 12 for additional information on this technique. 

Sample Forms for Employee Reporting of Hazards, Tracking Hazard Corrections, Follow-Up Documentation... 

Hazard Correction The elimination or control of a workplace hazard in accord with the requirements of applicable federal or state statutes, regulations, or standards. 

Effective planning and design of the workplace and job tasks are ongoing concerns as technology, facilities, materials, equipment, and operations are constantly under change. As part of the overall assessment, the design of any work order system should be reviewed to ensure that it can prioritize requests for hazardous corrective actions. 

A typical weekly safety meeting could last about SOnainutes or until all of the safety-related discussions have been addressed and completed. Due to the nature of the meeting, it may require more time to discuss safety-related topics, new issues, injuries in other areas, facilities with similar exposures, or other changes in the organization. Other concerns can be put on the table such as squelching mmors about injuries that have occurred, status of hazard correction, etc. 

Percent of hazards corrected in a timely manner (timeliness is defined). 

Implement processes or systems to report and track hazard correction actions Establish a timetable for implementing corrective hazard controls Prioritize hazards as identified by inspections, reporting, and accident investigations Require employees to report hazards using an established processes Provide quick feedback about the status of hazard correction activities Delegate responsibility for correcting hazards and documenting completion Permit supervisors and experienced employees to initiate hazard control actions... 

Did the employer have the responsibility or authority to have the hazard corrected ... 

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