Knowledge Corner

Having a Safety Manual is extremely important for your company and your employees. It guides all on what your company deems to be safe and the processes and procedures to follow if they are in a situation that isn’t. It might seem obvious but any employee not complying with your company’s Safety Manual could be putting your company at risk. Every Safety Manal needs to include:

• Assignment of Responsibilities
• Employee Safety Communication System
• Inspection Schedules/Frequency
• Record Keeping & Documentation Expectations
• Accident Investigation Procedures
• Method for Ensuring Employee Safety Compliance
• Unsafe Working Condition Correction Procedures
• Health & Safety Training for Operation Risks

In addition to the above, there are other elements you might want to include. Here are 4 components of a Safety Manual that add value but are often overlooked:

1. Crisis Management Plan

A crisis management plan addresses critical steps your company needs to take in the event of an unexpected crisis at the job site. Accidents and disasters that occur on construction sites could be life-threatening. Not only can they affect your employees and suppliers but also the general public. Examples include:

Including a Crisis Management Plan in your Safety Manual helps clearly identify your Crisis Response Team. This will make it easier at the time of an actual crisis on who to reach out to.

2. Return To Work Program

A Return To Work Program places injured employees in another role while they heal. This is beneficial to include because having a program in place helps retains experienced workers, reduces turnover, and lowers your Worker’s compensation costs.

3. Substance Abuse Policy

In your Safety Manual, include your Substance Abuse Policy. This will help send a clear message to your employees about where your company stands and what you are willing to tolerate. Drug testing is important, especially if there is an accident while on the job.

4. Occupational Health Policy

Hazards are everywhere, especially on a construction site. From lead to asbestos, it’s important to keep your company and employees safe. In your Safety Manual make sure you provide clear directions on how to prevent these hazards and what to do if they are discovered.

At the end of the day, your Safety Manual should be aiding your company in keeping your employees safe. Over time you should review it to make sure processes and procedures haven’t become outdated. If you have any questions about how to refresh your existing Safety Program or implement a new one, reach out to TSIB today and speak with one of our Risk Consultants!

TSIB’s Risk Consultants are currently servicing the following locations:

East Coast: New York City, NY; Bergen County, NJ; Fairfield County, CT; Philadelphia, PA

Texas: Austin, San Antonio, Houston, Dallas

California: Orange County, Los Angeles County, Riverside County, San Bernardino County, San Diego County

Image credit: annatamila/shutterstock.com