Issue link: http://palletcentral.uberflip.com/i/1508599
36 PalletCentral • September-October 2023 palletcentral.com 36 PalletCentral • September-October 2023 palletcentral.com Every company must have safety leaders to be successful, because ultimately safe production will be efficient production. the "free audit" and penalties can reach $156K per violation. OSHA has a safe harbor for third party and internal audits, but it is still able to use its subpoena power to access non-privileged audits and use them against the employer (including insurance company audit reports and recommendations). Safety leadership also requires employers to provide positive recognition for meeting or exceeding OHS goals that are aimed at preventing injury and illness, such as reporting near misses, attending training, or conducting inspections and making safety recommendations. OSHA frowns upon incentive programs that are based strictly on achieving a period of "injury-free" time, as it views that as potentially chilling the reporting of injuries if an employee will lose a bonus or their work team is deprived of an incentive prize. It is also essential to any OHS system that workers understand that they can communicate freely, including raising concerns about safety and health or refusing to work if they believe equipment or workplace conditions are unsafe, without fear of retaliation. What characteristics are critical to a company's safety leaders? Experts generally agree on the following traits that are fundamental in sustaining and continuously improving a company's safety culture through its leadership: • Safety leaders make it clear that safety is a personal value, even where it must override the official "company position." ey never place production over worker safety. • Safety leaders drive the message in all they do, on and off the job, and it is the key issue influencing their decisions. • Safety leaders are present in the workplace, they do not hide in an office. ey support company safety practices and demonstrate proper use of personal protective equipment on the job. ey are also aware that OHS programs must address the psychological health of workers. • Safety leaders expect those they supervise to match their level of focus and attention to OHS. Supervisors at all levels must understand steps being taken to improve the safety culture and communicate that to those they supervise. • Safety leaders understand that resources must align with OHS objectives, including the necessary people, equipment, supplies, PPE, and financing for continual improvement. • Safety leaders seek feedback from those involved, and focus on proactive exposure reduction and risk mitigation in real time. • Safety leaders ensure alignment between their corporate safety culture and that of the contractors they utilize. ey also ensure that there are no second-class citizens when it comes to safety, and afford effective OHS protections to temporary workers and contractors on site. Every company must have safety leaders to be successful, because ultimately safe production will be efficient production. For safety leaders to be successful, the upper management or "c-suite" need to agree that investment in safety is a core company value, that continuous improvement is critical to effective programs as well as flexibility in addressing emergent hazards. Managing risk proactively avoids costly injuries and accidents, reduces workers' compensation exposure, improves the company's public image, and avoids third-party liability for injuries to temps or contractors. Ultimately, workers and supervisors will mirror the attitudes of the senior leaders, for better or for worse. Be a safety leader! Adele L. Abrams is an attorney and safety professional who represents companies in litigation with OSHA and also provides safety training and consultation. The Law Office of Adele L. Abrams PC has three offices: Beltsville, MD; Denver, CO; and Charleston, WV. She may be reached at www.safety-law.com or 301-595-3520.