18 Oct Employee Safety Suggestions – Solving Workplace Safety Problems

Employee Safety Suggestions – Solving Workplace Safety Problems

Employees often have the best understanding of workplace hazards because they perform the work every day. Employee participation can help identify hazards, improve work practices, and develop practical solutions before an injury occurs.

Employees should be encouraged to identify hazards, report concerns, and recommend improvements. However, never delay reporting a hazard because you have not developed a solution. Serious or immediate hazards must be reported promptly so appropriate protective action can be taken.

A Five-Step Approach to Solving Safety Problems

1. Identify the Problem

Clearly identify the unsafe condition, practice, equipment, or process. Consider:

• What is the hazard?
• Where and when does it occur?
• Who could be exposed?
• What type of injury or illness could result?
• Are existing safeguards missing or inadequate?

Be specific and concentrate on correcting the hazard rather than assigning blame.

2. Identify Possible Solutions

Consider several ways to eliminate or control the hazard. Employees who perform the work should be involved because they may recognize practical solutions that others might overlook.

Whenever feasible, consider controls using the hierarchy of controls:

1. Eliminate the hazard.
2. Substitute a safer material, process, or method.
3. Use engineering controls.
4. Use administrative or safe-work-practice controls.
5. Use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).

PPE is important, but it should generally not be the primary control when a more effective method of eliminating or controlling the hazard is feasible.

3. Evaluate the Options

Consider the advantages and disadvantages of each proposed solution, including:

• Effectiveness in eliminating or reducing the hazard;
• Possibility of creating new hazards;
• Impact on employees and other operations;
• Equipment, maintenance, or training requirements;
• Applicable regulatory and company requirements; and
• Ease of implementation and continued use.

Make sure the proposed solution does not simply transfer the hazard to another employee, task, or location.

4. Compare the Alternatives

Determine which option provides the most effective and practical protection. Consider:

• Amount of risk reduction;
• Time required for implementation;
• Equipment and material requirements;
• Training needs;
• Maintenance requirements;
• Available resources; and
• Effects on other work activities.

Supervisors, safety personnel, and affected employees should participate in the evaluation when appropriate.

5. Recommend the Best Solution

Recommend the option that provides the most effective and sustainable control of the hazard.

Some hazards cannot be permanently corrected immediately. When this occurs, appropriate interim controls should be established to protect employees until the permanent corrective action can be completed.

Submitting a Safety Suggestion

A useful safety suggestion should clearly communicate the problem and the proposed improvement. When appropriate:

• Describe the hazard. Explain the condition, where it occurs, and who may be exposed.
• Explain the proposed improvement. Describe what should change and how the recommendation would eliminate or reduce the hazard.
• Identify needed resources. Note any equipment, materials, labor, training, or other resources that may be necessary.
• Describe the benefits. Explain how the improvement could prevent injuries or illnesses, reduce exposure, improve compliance, prevent property damage or downtime, or improve the work process.
• Provide supporting information. Photographs, sketches, inspection findings, manufacturer information, or employee observations may help explain the concern and proposed solution.

Employees do not need to prove that a recommendation will save money before reporting a safety concern. Protecting employees from workplace hazards is the primary objective.

Employee Participation

Employees can contribute to workplace safety by:

• Reporting unsafe conditions and practices promptly.
• Participating in toolbox talks and safety meetings.
• Participating in inspections, hazard assessments, and JSAs/JHAs when requested.
• Recommending corrective actions and safer work methods.
• Cooperating with changes made to correct hazards.
• Evaluating whether implemented controls are working effectively.
• Reporting new hazards created by changes in equipment, materials, processes, or work practices.
• Following up when previously reported hazards remain unresolved.

Employees should be able to raise legitimate safety concerns without fear of retaliation or adverse action.

Remember

You work with workplace conditions, equipment, tools, and processes every day. Your observations matter.

Report hazards promptly—even when you do not know how to correct them. When you have an idea for improving safety, communicate it. Employees and supervisors working together can often identify practical solutions that might otherwise be overlooked.

A good safety suggestion today could prevent an injury tomorrow.