Safety and Health Management Basics

MODULE 2: ACCOUNTABILITY

Elements of an Effective Accountability System

Element 5. Appropriate Application of Consequences

Take the Five-Finger Test: Ask these important questions to determine justification.

Before administering discipline, managers and supervisors need to evaluate their own performance and make a judgment about how well they have fulfilled their obligations to employees. We can categorize them into five general obligations: Leadership, resources, training, supervision, and enforcement.

To determine if discipline is justified, ask these very important questions:

1. Have I provided (or has the employee received) adequate safety training? The employee has the required knowledge and skills to comply. The employee understands the natural and system consequences of noncompliance.

2. Have I provided adequate resources that ensure a safe and health workplace? Do they have the physical resources and psychosocial support that gives them the ability to comply?

3. Do I fairly and consistently enforce safety policies and rules? Does the employee know that I will follow through with discipline? Or, do they know that all you will do is issue a threat, "If I catch you doing that again, I'll...." Remember, a supportive safety culture insists on, not merely encourages, safe behaviors.

4. Have I provided adequate safety supervision? I'm not stuck in my office all day. .I'm overseeing their work regularly or delegating that responsibility to someone. Adequate supervision is defined as the ability to detect and correct unsafe behaviors and hazardous conditions, before, they cause an injury or illness.

5. Have I demonstrated adequate leadership by complying with all safety policies and rules? Do I set a good example?

If a manager or supervisor can honestly answer yes to each of the above five questions, he or she is likely justified in administering discipline. If a manager cannot honestly answer each question in the affirmative, integrity might more likely require an apology, along with a commitment to make improvements.