What is a Safety Ambassador Program?
Implementing a Safety Ambassador Program will provide our company with a systematic approach to employee involvement in all of our safety activities.
PROGRAM PURPOSE:
The purpose of the Safety Ambassador Program is to
facilitate employee involvement in the company's overall Safety System (Safety Management System). The company recognizes that employee
involvement is the key to a strong Safety System. The company will designate certain employees
as Safety Ambassadors who will provide assistance by identifying and
eliminating hazards in the work area and to assist in the accident prevention
program as part of the *Company* Safety System.
PROCEDURE:
1)
General
a)
Safety information will be supplied on a regular
basis.
b)
Safety problems and suggestions should normally be
directed to the supervisor. However,
those items which need further consideration may be directed to the Safety Ambassador.
c)
The Safety Ambassador will conduct an
Inspection/Observation weekly to identify hazards, with special emphasis
on housekeeping and behavioral aspects.
Corrective action will be taken during the I/O. Supervisors must be notified of findings and
sign forms. Forms must be submitted to
the Safety Committee at the monthly committee meetings.
d)
Supervisors are responsible for selection of their
Safety Ambassador. Selection is with the
concurrence of the Safety Director.
e)
Safety Ambassadors will serve on a rotation, to
allow all employees the opportunity to become involved in our overall Safety
Management Process.
2)
Duties and Qualifications of Safety Ambassadors
·
The Supervisors will be responsible for conducting
training for the Safety Ambassadors. This
will include compliance issues, inspections/observations, problem solving,
ergonomics, maintenance procedures, and behavioral risks.
·
Safety/Health meetings will be held every
month.
·
The meetings will be held at company on the 4th
Wednesday of every month from 12:00- 1:00 pm.
· The purpose of the safety meetings will be to
discuss Safety Goals/Objectives, Inspection/Observation findings, specific
safety issues, to analyze accidents and near misses to determine root cause and
corrective actions, to discuss safety training schedules and training needs, to
discuss pending OSHA regulations/requirements.
·
The objective of a Safety Ambassador is to help
identify & eliminate safety issues in the work area. Ambassador’s activities will focus on
housekeeping, employee behavioral aspects, physical conditions, monthly
inspections/observations, and departmental safety meetings
·
Must set a high standard of safety by his/her work
habits and practices
·
Must be acquainted with personnel and facilities
in the areas he/she works
·
Must be physically capable, with a positive
attitude to perform required skills
·
Must be alert, dependable and willing to help
others
·
Will regularly attend scheduled Safety Ambassador
meetings and/or Safety Committee Meetings
·
May bring to the meeting questions, problems,
suggestions, new safety ideas/suggestions, etc. that may need the attention of,
or will benefit, the entire group
·
Will assist supervisors in detecting unsafe
conditions and actions at all times, not just when conducting the weekly I/O
and will suggest needed safety improvements
Author: Deborah Grow, Safety Specialist
