Written Safety & Health Program - Organizational Structure

The first component of the written safety and health program is developing an organizational structure. This structure should do the following:

• Identify a leader (who has the authority to direct all activities)
• Identify other personnel needed for the project (and assign their roles and responsibilities)
• Show lines of authority, responsibility, and communication
• Identify the interface with the response community (such as the fire department or emergency responders)

The following organizational factors provide the groundwork for a successful safety and health program:

• Management's commitment to safety through actions that show support and involvement in safety-related activities
• Open communication and interaction between all staff (workers, supervisors, and management) on safety-related issues
• Site maintenance (housekeeping, a commitment to keeping orderly workplace conditions, and quality control)
• Thorough processes of employee selection, job placement based on skills, opportunities for advancement, and other services for employee support
• Training that focuses on job safety
• Customization of conventional safety practices to improve their effectiveness
• Implementation of a disciplinary plan, which will provide further incentive for employees to follow safety practices

As the development of a safety and health program progresses, an employer may need to modify some organizational aspects of the project (for example, personnel responsibilities and authorities) to ensure efficiency and safety. Employers must record any of these changes to their project's organizational structure in the Work or Site Safety Plans.

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