707 Effective OSH Committee Meetings

What do the Rules Say?

As mentioned in the previous section, OSHA does not have specific federal regulations that mandate the structure or operation of workplace safety committees. However, many topics typically covered in safety committee meetings align closely with OSHA standards and best practices that promote safe and healthy work environments.

Common topics for discussion during safety committee meetings include:

Hazard Identification and Control

• Workplace Inspections: The committee should review the results of recent workplace inspections.
• Hazard Control: Identified hazards and recommended corrective actions should be thoroughly discussed and prioritized.

Accident Investigation

• Incident Review: The committee should review incident and accident reports to examine both surface causes and root causes.
• Preventive Measures: Members should recommend measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Employee Involvement

• Encouraging Reporting: The committee should explore ways to encourage employees to identify and report potential hazards.
• Addressing Concerns: Employee safety recommendations, suggestions, and concerns should be addressed respectfully and, when appropriate, handled confidentially.

Training and Education

• Training Evaluation: The committee should evaluate the quality and effectiveness of current safety training programs.
• Program Improvement: Policies and procedures related to training should be reviewed and suggestions for improvement should be made.

Recordkeeping

• Documentation: Meeting minutes, inspection findings, corrective actions, and follow-up activities should be documented and maintained.

Communication

• Sharing Information: Each meeting should focus on ways to effectively communicate safety updates, policies, and best practices throughout the organization.
• Incorporating Feedback: Employee feedback and suggestions for improvement should be encouraged and incorporated into the safety program where feasible.

Guidelines for Effective Committees

To operate successfully, safety committees should follow these key guidelines:

• Regular Meetings: Hold meetings consistently, typically on a monthly or quarterly basis.
• Balanced Membership: Include representatives from both management and employee groups to ensure diverse perspectives.
• Clear Objectives: Set measurable goals, such as reducing workplace incidents or improving regulatory compliance.
• Follow-Up: Establish accountability to ensure that recommendations and corrective actions are implemented and reviewed.

These elements are consistent with OSHA’s overarching principles for promoting workplace safety and health. By following these practices, a company can strengthen its safety program, enhance employee involvement, and help prevent workplace injuries and illnesses.

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.