MODULE 2: ACCOUNTABILITY

Elements of an Effective Accountability System

Element 5. Appropriate Application of Consequences

Do the right thing! Do the thing right!

Most employers establish safety incentive programs to increase awareness and influence behaviors in a positive direction. However, some of those employers unknowingly reward their employees for withholding incident and accident reports. The employer's intent is to do the right thing, but the problem is that they're not doing the thing right.

Unfortunately, failing to report injuries immediately violates OSHA law and any policy that encourages or otherwise promotes delayed injury reporting will be carefully scrutinized.

Although the company may be able to boast of thousands of production hours without a reported injury, some of their employees may actually be injured or ill. (I call this the "walking wounded" syndrome.) However, negative peer pressure, the desire to "win", or other workplace factors may cause the employee to decide not to report their injury or illness.

According to OSHA, Each employer must:

o Furnish to each of his employees employment and a place of employment, which are free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to his employees.
o Comply with occupational safety and health standards promulgated under this Act.
o Ensure each employee complies with occupational safety and health standards and all rules, regulations, and orders issued pursuant to this Act, which are applicable to his own actions and conduct.

Since reporting injuries is a required by OSHA law, the employer is obligated to do what is reasonably necessary to require this behavior and nothing that promotes withholding injury reports. Consequences for failure to meet safety standards, typically includes: negative performance appraisals, some form of progressive discipline, or forfeiture of a tangible reward.

Performance appraisals should index specific safety behaviors and performance just as other production/service criteria are evaluated.