OSHA Defense

Forming an Effective Safety Committee Part 1 featured image

Forming an Effective Safety Committee Part 1

Setting up a safety committee is good business practice if your construction business is large and needs to consult on safety matters across a number of trades at your worksite. If you want to form a committee but don’t know where to begin, our OSHA defense attorneys invite you to read this two-part article where we will discuss some important elements to help you form an effective safety committee. Don’t forget to read part two which concludes our series.

Are Safety Committees Required by OSHA?

Every employer is required by OSHA to ensure a safe work environment by making health and safety a top priority. If you lead a company of construction workers, you have a duty to protect them from injury and illness on the job. Although OSHA does not mandate safety committees, OSHA highly recommends that employers form a committee to support and improve their safety culture. Some states are, however, required by OSHA to establish safety committees. If you need to discuss the legalities of implementing a safety program in your state, an OSHA attorney from Cotney Attorneys & Consultants is always available. To find out if your state is required, contact your local regional OSHA office.

Why Form a Safety Committee?

The safety committee is responsible for communicating and coordinating safety issues and efforts in the workplace. The purpose of the committee is to promote and maintain the interest of employees in all safety-related issues and to reduce the risk of injuries and illness on the job. The committee also ensures that health and safety remains an integral part of the company’s culture and procedures. Employees are educated on health and safety through training and other activities. Employees are afforded the opportunity to address health and safety problems and to stay abreast of changing regulations and standards. These efforts are important to maintain compliance with state and federal safety regulations.

If you would like to speak with an OSHA defense attorney, please contact us at 813.579.3278, or submit our contact request form.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for general educational information only. This information does not constitute legal advice, is not intended to constitute legal advice, nor should it be relied upon as legal advice for your specific factual pattern or situation.