Office of Administration - General Services

General Services

Risk Management

Safety: Model Program - Appendix D

Safety Committees

Most of us have been involved in one way or another with a committee. Unfortunately, most of us have also had a few bad experiences with them. The purpose of this section is to provide you with an overview of what we believe to be the "best of show" when it comes to a modern, Total Quality oriented, safety committee format.

This format has a three-tier structure which facilitates interaction at all levels of an organization. It also allows management to make its commitment to safety and health clearly visible throughout the entire organization. The three tiers are the Central Office, Division, and Facility. While the terms may change, most organizations have representative levels. Here is a brief explanation of what the function of each group is, and how they interact.

Central Office Committee

Purpose:	Provides leadership to other committees and a conduit for the flow of information throughout the company. Acts as the "Supreme Court" when other committees are unable to reach a conclusion that is satisfactory to the membership.
Membership:	The committee must be representative of the organization, and capable of identifying and authorizing corrective actions. It will be co-chaired by the Department Director and an employee elected by his/her peers.
Meetings:	Once a quarter.

Division Committee

Purpose:	Provides guidance and support for the facility committees under its authority, operating unit, etc. Provides final resolution of disputes at the facility level, or forwards them to the central office committee.
Membership:	The committee must be representative of the division, and capable of identifying and authorizing corrective actions. It should be co-chaired by a Division Director, manager, etc., and an employee elected by his/her peers.
Meetings:	Once a month, or as needed for special issues.

Facility Committee

Purpose:	Provides an opportunity to quickly identify safety hazards and/or opportunities for improvement at the "grass roots" level. Provides final resolution of disputes within the committee, or forwards them to the division committee.
Membership:	The committee must be representative of the facility, and capable of identifying and authorizing corrective actions. It will be co-chaired by the superintendent, administrator, etc., and an employee elected by his/her peers.
Meetings:	At least once a month, and as needed.

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It is also recommended that each committee have an established order of business. The following is included for your consideration:

Roll call - Don't forget to introduce guests.

Approval of minutes - Standard method.

Injury / illness statistics - or whatever your organization is tracking

Accident investigation and "near miss"' reports - Summarize "lessons learned" and corrective actions which have/will be taken.

Inspection reports - Status of each finding should be tracked until correction.

Old business - Status of unresolved issues, and movement towards closure.

New business - To encourage problem solving at the most appropriate level in the company, no new business may be discussed until the responsible supervisor, manager, etc., has been informed of the situation and given a chance to respond.