The National Safety Council has selected Risk Reduction as a National Safety Month focus this year. Risk Reduction is a basic vague goal we all share. Most of us try to “Be Safe”, but often it is situational and in the moment. Some companies have excelled at making risk reduction part of their every day and strategic continuous improvement efforts.
Baseline Review your safety programs. Has your company had a thorough review of your workplace hazards recently? You can only know what you have improved if you know where you started.
Review Risk reduction involves monitoring workplace conditions.
- Has your leadership adopted Management by Walking Around or Daily Gemba Walks? Be available to see hazards and communicate with your team.
- Do your departments consistently evaluate risks by completing checklists such as for equipment operation and maintenance? Has your team been provided a system for general safety observations? OSHA’s Small Business Safety and Health Handbook and compliance guides are excellent resources.
Measure What gets measured gets managed.
- The Illinois Onsite Consultation Program will provide no fee air and noise monitoring in addition to their other safety review services.
- Leading and lagging indicators provide insight of trends before and after incidents happen.
Risk versus Reward We work in dynamic workplaces and cannot effectively bubble wrap our team. Many of our jobs have inherently hazardous conditions. Help your leadership team understand the risk of not taking action when hazards are identified. OSHA’s $afety Pays tool will help prepare data on the direct and indirect cost risks associated with common injuries.
Industry Experts & Practitioners Work your network!
- Most safety professionals welcome sharing knowledge on best practices and industry contacts.
- Call on your existing Vendors. Often equipment reps have some training services or can keep you aware of changing regulations.
- Insurance companies may have loss prevention resources.
Education Seek out organizations that will share best practices and trends. Local chambers of commerce and industry associations often have monthly speakers for in person meetings or webinars.
GET TO KNOW YOUR LOCAL MEP The Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center (IMEC) is dedicated to helping Illinois employers and the manufacturing supply chain reduce risk and improve economic and workforce competitiveness. Visit IMEC EVENTS and search future and past webinars for recordings from our team and other industry experts.
Illinois manufacturers are encouraged to request a no fee safety assessment from one of IMEC’s OSHA Authorized Trainers or a risk assessment.
