In successful safety programs, supervisors, safety directors or safety committee teams make regular, detailed surveys of the workplace to correct unsafe conditions and unsafe acts by employees.
Safety Survey Tips
Cover your entire operation. Note what’s right and what’s wrong. Businesses should start by surveying their raw materials and continue through all production phases, to completion and delivery of the final product. Perform inspections, as required, of equipment such as fire extinguishers, pressure vessels, boilers and elevators. Use checklists to ensure you haven’t missed anything.
Safety surveys include:
- Written reports
- Recommendations
- Target dates for corrective actions
- Names of individuals responsible for implementing corrections
Wear safety gear and observe safe practices appropriate to the surveyed areas. Do not talk to workers without a supervisor’s approval. Avoid criticism and stick strictly to facts.
Common Reasons for Incidents and Injuries
- Disregard for safe work practices
- Disregard for proper protective equipment
- Violation of rules and regulations
- Defective, inoperable guards
- Improper lifting
- Horseplay, practical jokes
- Ignorance of work materials, chemicals
- Wrong tool used for job
- Worker physically unfit for job
- Worker not trained to safely perform job
- Distractions such as cell phones, music, multitasking