Essential elements of an effective loss prevention program

<< back to Safety Programs & Risk Management Information

The essential elements of an effective loss prevention program are outlined below:

Establish a Management Safety Policy

Make a written commitment that safety and safe work procedures have a high priority, and that supervisors and employees are to be responsible and accountable for safe work practices and procedures.

Assign key employees responsibility for safety

Assign supervisors the responsibility and authority to develop safe work procedures, recognize and correct physical hazards, train employees and enforce safety rules. Hold supervisors accountable for conducting the five safety activities listed below.

Identify, eliminate or control hazards

Make inspections on a regular basis to identify, eliminate or control physical hazards and unsafe work procedures. Follow up to ensure corrections are made.

Investigate all "near miss," property damage and injury situations

Prompt, thorough and objective investigations should be made by supervisors to answer who, what, where, why and when, determine cause, recommend or make corrections, and retain a record for future reference.

Maintain accurate, up-to-date records

Accurate up-to-date records provide a ready reference for needed or requested information. Records also assist in meeting statutory reporting requirements, as well as measuring progress in loss prevention, training, and production activities.

Train supervisors and employees in safe work procedures and job hazards

Supervisors may need training in determining safe work practices, performing step-by-step job safety analysis, and detecting hazardous exposures. Employees need to be trained to perform tasks safely as well as training in operating specialized or sophisticated equipment.

Schedule safety meetings or group safety training and encourage worker participation

Safety meetings involve supervisors and employees in safety planning, enhance safety consciousness, and act as a forum for suggestions and discussions to improve safety and production procedures.

<< back to Safety Programs & Risk Management Information