The "S" in SMART: Making Safety Goals Specific

The SMART acronym is widely used by businesses and organizations to develop effective goals. Let's focus on the "S" which stands for Specific.

Simply stating, "Company XX will have a safety program," lacks direction. To provide clear guidance on what the company aims to achieve, we need to be specific. For example, is the safety program focused on reducing the number of reportable and recordable injuries? Or does the company want to reduce liabilities, such as by deciding whether to keep a diving board in the pool?

Identifying Safety Concerns

Begin by identifying areas of safety concern within your organization. Ask yourself: Have there been recent, preventable injuries? Is there equipment that needs repair or maintenance? Does staff require training? What are the roles of both management and employees in creating and maintaining the program? To answer these questions, the first step is to assess your company's current safety issues. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) can be an excellent guide for this assessment.

OSHA Guidelines and Programs

Familiarize yourself with relevant OSHA programs based on your company's operations. If you handle chemicals, understand OSHA's Hazard Communication (HAZCOM) program. For maintenance sections that repair energized equipment (electrical, hydraulic, etc.), implement a Lock Out Tag Out program. If staff can regularly expect contact with blood or other bodily fluids, a bloodborne pathogen program will guide necessary steps. OSHA can also help you create an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) to assist with evacuation procedures and emergency response.

Developing an Emergency Action Plan (EAP)

Let's delve into developing an EAP. OSHA's minimum requirements for an EAP include how staff will report emergencies, designated escape routes, procedures for personnel accountability, duties for individuals responsible for emergency response, contact information for emergency personnel, and procedures for employees who need to stay behind to operate critical plant operations.

Post-Injury Scenario: Blood Cleanup

Consider a scenario after an injury where there is a significant amount of blood in the area once the injured person has been attended to. Post-medical actions should include contacting a trained cleanup responder, preventing others from coming into contact with the blood by using signs or barricades, ensuring a trained person uses proper personal protective equipment (PPE) during cleanup, using appropriate chemicals to disinfect the area against possible infection and contamination, and properly disposing of contaminated items.

Safety for Specific Fixtures: Pools

For specific fixtures like a swimming pool, safety guidelines are crucial. In accordance with Article 6, 26 Guam Administrative Rules & Regulations, Division 1, Chapter 4, Section 4635 (Safety Requirements), public swimming pools have a set of safety requirements. For instance, children under the age of 14 should not use the pool without direct adult supervision, implying parents or guardians must be present with their children. Pools greater than 2,250 square feet of water surface must have a certified lifeguard. Red Cross lifeguard certification must be renewed every two years. Having a pool necessitates adherence to these specific safety guidelines.

Measuring Success

Once you have specified your safety goal, the next crucial step is to identify how you will measure its success. A safety committee can be instrumental in creating the company's safety goals and defining the roles of both management and staff within the safety program.

What specific safety goal are you considering for your organization, and how do you envision measuring its impact?

Reference: OSHA’s Help for Employers http://www.osha.gov/employers