Part I of IV: A simple pathway to Health and Safety Management
No matter which framework an organization uses to develop its Health and Safety System, three critical steps remain the basis for keeping workers healthy and safe. Cornerstone has simplified those into the acronym A.C.T. for Assess, Control, Train.
ASSESS
OSHA’s “Safety and Health Programs Step-by-Step Guide” (https://www.osha.gov/safety-management/step-by-step-guide) has ten steps, including one for Hazard Identification and Control. While the OSHA tried-and-true Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) approach is similar to ours, we focus on evaluating risk as a guide to everything we do. OSHA’s method also has a risk analysis element; however, it results in an alphanumeric risk level which we have found to be less intuitive than the method we use. Cornerstone expands risk ranking by using an approach that assigns a rating for the Severity and Probability (1 through 4, with the lower rating corresponding to lower severity and probability) to each hazard identified. The product of multiplying these two ratings results in a numerical ranking of hazard controls needed. We work on the highest risks first. The risk levels correspond to a priority for controls.
CONTROL
Cornerstone uses the OSHA Hierarchy of Controls in this next step. This requires an organization first to eliminate, substitute, or isolate (engineer) hazards. Administrative controls, including procedures, plans, and training, are then considered, and, as a last resort, PPE is used to shield workers from the hazard.
The controls often include the development of administrative policies, procedures, and programs. Cornerstone works hard to develop these along with stakeholders at every level of the company. The information gathered in the previous steps guides how this is done. Controls can range from something as simple as wearing protective gloves all the way to Injury and Illness Prevention Plans and the establishment and facilitation of Health and Safety Committees.
TRAIN
Worker Health and Safety training and coaching are integral to making the controls come to life. If workers do not understand the controls, they will not use them. This is particularly important for Administrative and PPE controls where workers have a direct impact on the success of the control. Examples include how to wear PPE such as hearing protectors effectively and properly, Energy Control (aka Lockout/Tagout or LOTO) Procedures, and Ergonomic coaching. Classes can be set up for a subset of affected employees all the way up to organization-wide Health and Safety Orientation and Awareness training. Cornerstone works with its clients to make classes and scheduling effective and efficient. Our team of trainers has decades of experience in industry, education, logistics, and regulatory agencies.
TRAIN
Worker Health and Safety training and coaching are integral to making the controls come to life. If workers do not understand the controls, they will not use them. This is particularly important for Administrative and PPE controls where workers have a direct impact on the success of the control. Examples include how to wear PPE such as hearing protectors effectively and properly, Energy Control (aka Lockout/Tagout or LOTO) Procedures, and Ergonomic coaching. Classes can be set up for a subset of affected employees all the way up to organization-wide Health and Safety Orientation and Awareness training. Cornerstone works with its clients to make classes and scheduling effective and efficient. Our team of trainers has decades of experience in industry, education, logistics, and regulatory agencies.
Conclusion
Cornerstone’s A.C.T approach to health and safety management leverages industry best practices, broad experience, and a mind toward efficient action that maximizes our client’s resources and minimizes risks to workers.
Come back next month for a deeper dive into our risk-based hazard assessment service. We will demonstrate how it is conducted with a series of examples and case studies and discuss further some of the philosophies behind why we do what we do.
John Scifres is Cornerstone’s Director of Health and Safety Services. He is a Certified Hazardous Materials Manager and is a Provisional Lead Auditor for ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001. He oversees Cornerstone’s team of EHS Project Managers. In addition, he consults with clients nationwide to ensure compliance with EHS regulations and evaluate opportunities to go above and beyond compliance.
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