701 Effective Safety Committee Operations

To better understand and convey the role of your safety committee as an internal consultant team providing expert advice and assistance, think about creating a "vision statement." The vision statement helps each safety committee member understand who they are, what their purpose, aspirations, and overarching goals. It identifies the safety committee. It is future-oriented and inspires committee members to work towards a shared vision.

Because a good vision statement helps determine who each member is, it will also help them determine what to do and make it more likely that together they will realize that vision.

• If safety committee members believe they are consultants, they will do and say things that send a message they can be trusted. Employees will seek their help and appreciate their work.
• If safety committee members believe they are cops, they will do and say things in a manner that is likely to result in mistrust. And, as we know, an effective safety culture can not exist in a climate of mistrust.

To help the safety committee function better, each safety committee member must understand this basic principle:

Sample Vision Statement: "The safety committee helps management lead in creating a world-class safety culture through educating employees and consulting with management."

See below for a list of what a safety committee with a vision as a consultant group will do to achieve its purposes.

Safety committees that perform as internal consultants will:

• survey and interview employees to find out what they are thinking and feeling;
• observe employees to analyze behaviors;
• inspect the workplace to uncover hazardous conditions;
• audit safety programs;
• uncover the surface and root causes of safety problems;
• develop and submit written recommendations;
• monitor the progress of corrective actions and system improvements; and
• evaluate the long-term quality of the safety culture.

A final word about vision: You may be wondering why some safety committees fail. We're sure you're familiar with the saying, "Where there is no vision, the people will perish." (Proverbs 29:18) This important principle applies to safety committees as well.

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

1-2. The safety committee's vision statement describes _____.