Identifying
and Controlling Hazards
Course 101
Safety Certified Supervisor Series
MODULE
SEVEN: EFFECTIVE RECOMMENDATIONS
A strong recommendation
doesn't have to be complicated
Right now, you might be rather
intimidated by all this, but take heart; an effective recommendation doesn't
have to meet all of the criteria above, and it doesn't have to be a massive
document. For instance, here's an example of a good recommendation.
- Problem: The guard rail
in the warehouse has deteriorated to a point that it is unable to support
any weight on it.
- History: We had an incident
on 6/13/99 where Joe Blow almost fell down the 10 steps because the guard
rail did not support his weight. He fortunately caught himself before falling.
We had a second near miss incident on 9/18/99 when Jane Doe tripped going
up the stairs and grabbed for the rail which did not support her. Again,
fortunately she caught herself before falling.
- Options to correct problem:
- We have attempted to tighten
and brace the rail but it continues to work itself loose. We took bids
to replace the rail and the bids ranged from a high of $3,200 to a low
bid of $1,500. We believe the xyz brand for $2,000 will prove to be
the best material for our facility. The disadvantage to the lowest bid
of $1,500 was it would not be guaranteed for outside weather conditions.
- We budgeted "x"
for off-site training classes and have secured a source for on-line
no-cost training through OSHA that could save "X" dollars
that could be applied toward part of the cost of the guard rail.
- Cost/Benefit:
- ROI. Average cost of
a severe injury in is $9,700, which is very possible if one of our employees
should fall from the second story of the warehouse to the concrete pad
below. The estimated indirect cost is $17,500. Total accident cost is
estimated to be $27,200. ROI will be approximately 1,360 percent!
- Payback Period. I estimate
that the probability of an accident occurring within the next two years
as a result of this hazard is very high. Therefore, the payback period
is based on 24 months. Our cost for corrective action is $2,000 and the
pay back period would, therefore, be less than 2 months ($1,133/ month.)
Final thoughts
Writing effective recommendations
gets easier as you gain experience. It's time to take the Module Quiz,
.
