MANAGEMENT SAFETY RESPONSIBILITY & ACCOUNTABILITY
By Gary W. Hanson, President of
American Safety & Health Management Consultants, Inc.
When I go out to visit a new prospective client/company, I conduct a safety program
evaluation to determine how effective their existing safety program is. The evaluation
consists of 50 questions. All of the questions together give me a clear picture of the
company’s safety efforts. There are two questions however, that really tell me a great
deal about the company’s understanding of their safety program.
The first is:

Do you have clear safety responsibilities outlined for all levels of
management?
The second is:

Do you have programs to hold each level of management accountable for
the safety performance for their area.
In the vast majority of cases the answer to both of these questions is no.
It is hard to be successful if you do not have a system to hold people accountable for
production or sales, but all too often this is not carried over to safety. There are a
number of reasons for this, but primarily this has not been considered important in the
past or a priority. If you want your safety efforts to be successful, then have written
safety responsibilities clearly communicated to all levels of management including
senior management.
For a safety program to truly be effective it must start at the top. It cannot be started in
the middle or at the bottom. If senior management does not take the lead, be actively
involved and drive the program, it will not be successful. It starts with a Safety Mission
Statement. An effective safety program contributes directly to the Success, Growth and
Profit of the company. A poor safety program interferes with the company’s effort to be
successful, grow and make a profit.
How does a safety program achieve its mission? By protecting the company’s most
important assets. Which include:

The company’s employees

The company’s property

The company’s equipment

The company’s production, sales and marketing capability

The company’s financial strength

The company’s good name
-1-
The Safety Mission can not be achieved without clear safety responsibilities and
accountability for performance. What gets measured gets done. Senior management
must take the lead, but front line supervisors must be responsible for the overall day to
day success of the program. It is a good idea to appoint an individual to the role of
company Safety Coordinator, to assist in managing the safety effort. If you do, ensure
that this individual is also given the necessary authority to carry out the duties assigned.
If not, your program will not be successful and could well be a total failure.
With the above in mind the following is a recommended guide for safety responsibilities.
SENIOR MANAGEMENT






Will set the tone and commitment for the safety program and
communicate this to all levels of management.
Will allocate sufficient time and resources necessary to ensure the safety
program is successful.
Will provide all levels of management with the necessary authority to carry
out the company’s safety program.
Will establish yearly safety performance goals and track the company’s
performance against the goals established.
Will hold all levels of management accountable for the safety performance
of the company.
Will review all serious accident reports and ensure corrective action is
being taken.
MANAGERS/SUPERVISORS










Will be familiar with all company safety policies and programs.
Will follow closely all safety policies and regulations.
Will actively direct the company’s safety program and require all
employees to comply with the safety program.
Will make available and enforce the use of required safety equipment.
Will conduct regular safety training meetings with employees and
document.
Will counsel employees with safety related behavioral problems.
Will conduct safety inspections for their area of responsibility.
Will conduct thorough accident investigations on all accidents that require
an investigation.
Will correct unsafe conditions and or equipment as soon as possible.
Will work closely with other managers/supervisors and the Safety
Coordinator as necessary.
-2-
SAFETY COORDINATOR











Will provide the necessary leadership in directing the company’s safety
program.
Will work closely with senior management and assist in establishing yearly
safety performance goals.
Will stay up to date on all state and federal safety regulations including
OSHA , DOT, EPA and the Ohio Safety Code.
Will lead by example and follow all company safety policies.
Will review the company’s safety program regularly and update as
necessary.
Will communicate the effectiveness of the safety program to all levels of
management.
Will work closely with managers/supervisors on safety related elements.
Will assist in conducting new employee safety orientation and on going
training classes.
Will conduct regular safety inspections and recommend needed corrective
action.
Will conduct accident investigations along with manager/supervisors on all
serious accidents and report the results to senior management.
Will provide counseling to both management employees and hourly
employees as necessary.
The above is a general list that you should review, there may be others that you may
wish to include. Once you have the safety responsibilities outlined you will need to
provide the authority necessary to accomplish the desired result. Set high goals, have
high expectations, follow up closely, and hold everyone accountable for the successful
accomplishment of the goals established. Remember a good safety program
contributes directly to a good bottom line, and this starts with clear management safety
responsibilities and accountabilities for performance.
If you have any safety related questions or need any safety assistance, please call
American Safety & Health Management Consultants, Inc., (ASH) at 1-800-356-1274.
-3-