25 Aug 2024 03:56
Impact of Senior Management on the Performance of an Occupational Health and Safety Management System (OHSMS)
On this episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast, IHSA’s Maren Gamble discusses the impact of senior management on the performance of an occupational health and safety management system (OHSMS). A senior manager’s level of commitment towards their OHSMS is a critical factor to its success. For example, a senior manager's involvement, such as attending meetings, having knowledge of the system, and having a good understanding of the internal audit process, can significantly impact the success of the system.
Maren emphasizes that senior management should lead by example, as their actions send a message that health and safety is important and worth their time. When they visit a construction site, for instance, a senior manager should not only adhere to mandatory personal protective equipment (PPE) and other safety measures, but they should also insist that these rules apply to everyone, demonstrating that there are no exceptions to these rules. If a senior manager or president of a construction project were to be seen wearing dress shoes on the jobsite instead of the proper PPE, it sends the wrong message that PPE is optional and the rules are not applicable to everyone.
To ensure that they keep the promise and commitment they made to their workers to support them in making it home safely, senior management should regularly review the proactive controls being developed within their OHSMS to ensure they are comfortable with them and confident in their ability to meet their health and safety obligations.
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