MODULE 1: MANAGEMENT COMMITMENT

Goals and objectives

So now you have a mission statement developed. The next step is to think of some proactive goals and objectives to improve your company's safety and health program.

Goals are easy to write. They're nothing more than wishes. However, operational objectives take a little more thought. Well written objectives should have the following elements present:

o Starts with an action verb. (Decrease, increase, improve, etc.)

o Specifies a single key result to be accomplished.

o Is quantifiable. Uses numbers to measure a desired change. (i.e., 50% increase)

o Specifies a target date for accomplishment.

For example, operational safety objectives might be written like this:

o Increase the number of safety suggestions by 25% by July 31st."

o Show a 35% reduction in back injuries by the end of 2009."

Remember to work with the safety committee to share the goals and objectives with everyone in the company. By the end of this course you should be able to think of many more ways to increase management commitment.