4. Importance of Evaluating Workplace Safety and Health Performance

The importance of evaluating workplace safety and health performance is explained in terms of the consequences to health and safety production.

Your safety and health program is in place. You have set your goal for the year and clearly stated the objectives, procedures, and activities necessary to meet that goal. Responsibilities have been defined and clearly assigned. Adequate authority and resources have been allocated. People have been trained in their safety and health program roles, and they understand the consequences of failing to perform their assignments. Your responsibility for employee safety and health does not stop here. The next step - a critical one - is to evaluate how well your safety and health program is working.

A safety and health evaluation looks at the systems you have created to carry out your safety and health program. It asks if these systems are working effectively and efficiently. All systems that contribute to your safety and health program should be reviewed.

These should include:

• Management leadership and the evaluation of that leadership.
• The analysis of the worksite to identify hazards.
• Hazard prevention and control.
• Accident and near miss investigations.
• Employee involvement.
• Safety and health training.
• Use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Emergency response program.

This evaluation will bring out any loopholes in the health and safety system and bring out areas where there is a need for improvement so that the system is well positioned and is protecting the safety and health of employees thus ensuring high productivity.