Happy New to all.  The Compliance Resource Center hopes you all had a wonderful and SAFE holiday season.   And now it is time to get back to work.
The beginning of a new year is a great time to do an annual assessment of your facility.  I always consider 4 parts to an assessment;

  • Observation
  • Conversation
  • Compliance
  • Evaluation 

OBSERVATION
I always to target 5 major areas that I am evaluating, during an assessment.  I start by looking and making notes with particular regards to these areas, but also notice if there are any other major concerns.  If time permits, I walk through the facility watching employee’s work and the equipment they are using.  I will often bring a camera and take pictures to support my findings.
CONVERSATION
Part of the assessment process should be talking with some of the employees.  This can give you a better understanding of employee’s opinion and understanding of the safety policies/procedures and their training.  Often the employees will tell a consultant some thing they would not tell their supervisor.
COMPLIANCE
My assessment is always based on compliance with OSHA regulations found in 49CFR.  If you are the safety person at your company, you should have a current 49CFR on your shelf.  This book is your bible for OSHA regulations and compliance.  Any assessment should follow these standards with regards to this manual.  Remember that OSHA standards are written for many industries.  You can also look at best practices to achieve a higher standard.  This is up to the individual company and location.
EVALUATION
After I stop, look and listen, I fill out an assessment tool that rates each area I observe.  This helps me keep my focus on facility and the good things they do and where they need improvement.  The final report is sent to my contact.  I follow-up in a few weeks to help the safety person develop a plan of action using the assessment made.  Finally, I check back every couple of months to see what progress is being made on the action plan.
So now you know some of the tricks of the trade; observe, converse, compliance and evaluate.  Have A SAFE NEW YEAR!