Identifying and Controlling Hazards
Course 101
Safety Certified Supervisor Series

MODULE SEVEN: EFFECTIVE RECOMMENDATIONS

To develop effective recommendations, perform the following key steps

  1. Write the problem statement
  2. Describe the history of the problem.
  3. State the solution options that would correct the problem?
  4. Describe the consequences as a cost vs benefit analysis. (continued)

Anticipate possible decision-maker objections.

Throughout the recommendation, think about what objections the decision-maker might have. Be sure to include counter-arguments to those objections where they most logically apply.

Employers are motivated to approve your recommendation primarily to meet one of the following safety obligations:

The Legal Imperative. This describes the employer's legal duty to comply with occupational safety and health standards. When this is the primary motivation, safety is considered just another cost of doing business (CODB) that may drain the corporate budget. Unfortunately, the employer will do only what is required by law...probably not much more. The employer's primary goals are to:

The Fiscal Imperative. The employer is obligated to corporate stakeholders to operate the business in a financially prudent manner. In the private sector, this means "operating at a profit." In the public sector, this means "operating within budget."

The Social Imperative. In the best-case situation, the employer feels a strong obligation to each employee, the community, and society in general to support and protect the welfare of all employees.. .its "corporate family." Safety is perceived as a core corporate value, not open to negotiation.

If your employer is "doing safety" primarily to meet legal requirements, and nothing more, you'll probably have to emphasize the legal benefits. I personally think most employers are motivated primarily to fulfill the fiscal responsibilities, so don't be surprised if management requires a cost/benefit analysis. If the employer makes a commitment to safety primarily to fulfill the social imperative, management is likely to approve your recommendation no matter what the investment might be. Just remember, understand which "buttons" to push that will increase the likelihood of getting approval.

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