Element 6: Evaluation of the Accountability Program
As a supervisor, while you might not bear the responsibility for formally evaluating the accountability system, it is reassuring to be aware that this task is being handled by the appropriate personnel within the organization.
Typically, the evaluation of the employer's accountability system involves the safety coordinator and/or the safety committee. In 'state-plan' states such as Oregon, it is a legal requirement for the safety committee to undertake this evaluation.
This evaluation process typically involves three activities:
- Identify: Involves inspecting the existing policies, plans, procedures, and processes within the accountability system to ascertain their presence and scope.
- Analyze: Entails a detailed examination of each component of the accountability system, delving into the specifics to gain a comprehensive understanding. Attention to detail is crucial in this step.
- Evaluate: The final stage is to assess each policy, plan, procedure, and process by comparing them against established benchmarks and best practices, thereby evaluating their effectiveness.
If you believe there are weaknesses in your employer's accountability system, make sure to take notes on the behaviors and conditions you see in the workplace that may be pointing to accountability system policies, plans, processes, and procedures that are inadequate or missing.
In conclusion, the concept of accountability is a fundamental component of any effective safety and health management system. Having a firm understanding of the concept and program will help ensure success.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
6-10. Which activity compares and contrasts each accountability system policy, plan, procedure, and process against benchmarks and best practices to judge their effectiveness?
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