Hello!

I'm new to the forum. This will be my first post.
I work for a GC company that specializes in road construction. At the peak of our season, we have around 200 employees. My title is Project Engineer but I am the lowest man on the management totem pole since I have only been here just a little less than a year.

I guess it's tradition here to hand off the safety program to the "new guy". I am pretty much the new safety manager and I can already tell that we have a huge problem here. If no one wants to handle the safety program and hand it off to a new guy that barely has any experience, then you should know that this PROGRAM SUCKS!!!

I have always been a safe worker and I set a goal for myself. My goal is to redesign my companys Safety Program and make this a company that takes Safety seriously!

I am taking the same approach that I would if I was to eat an elephant...a little bit at a time.
I know that I have to get a lot of training and I'm prepared for that.

I am constantly doing research and learnign new things everyday on safety.

Please give me any advice you can...it could be advice on which classes or training to take.
I welcome everything you can give me.

Thank You

Take a look at the OSHA Outreach 10 and 30 hour training classes.  Tthey are offered in general Industry and Construction, with Construction being more obviously your area of interest.  In your position the 30 hour would offer a good overview of OSHA's requirements and point you toward what should be in your own program.  The course can be taken in person at selected places or on line where ever you can get on the internet.

The written programs on this website can be very helpful as well.  they are genarically written and can be easily tailored to your company's needs.  They are pretty much all inclusive of whatever the reg's require.

Of course, whatever you learn personally and however good your written programs become you will still be faced with implementing the program in the field.  See if you can get some management backing for that.  If the program has no teeth it won't be very effective.

Good luck...

 

 

thank you, ctech.
very helpful.

Hello,

 

I would also look to see if you state has an OSHCON program (OSHA Consultation).  This is a completely confidential program that allows small companies with less than 250 employees to seek help and advice from a state OSHA representative.  In Texas, OSHCON is run by the Texas Department of Insurance.  They will come by and do a confidential inspection of your company’s safety and health program.  They see as much as you let them.  You can terminate the inspection at any point you wish.  But, if you follow the program, do as they ask, and fix any problems, they will give you all the help you need.  The OSHCON program is also the first step to becoming a VPP company.  This is one of the best voluntary safety programs out there for small companies. 

You have the right attitude and will be good safety manager, you are not afraid to ask for help which say's a lot, from what I read your company don't respect the OSH Act. they just pass the buck to the new guy, regardless a Safety manager must be ethical, the job requires tenacity and determination with consequences for bad decisions, but most of all you must know what you are doing, with little experience I strongly recommend to check sites on line for similar safety programs,(try Googling) and follow the recommendation of the previous members and educate yourself about the requirements of the CFR, it will take sometime to be  a good safety manager but you can do it,  best of luck. 

I have worked for a GC road construction company, so I feel your pain. 

1.  Despite what some may think, safety is more than common sense.  As the previous post stated, you need adequate training -- either the OSHA 30-hour or 40-hour for construction.  

2.  Next, how many injuries has your company had in the past 2 years?  Your OSHA 300 log has this.

3.  How much $$ is the company paying out in comp insurance?

4.  You should be able to get #2 and #3 done in at most an hour.

5.  Here's where the rubber meets the road.  Find out what your typical profit margin is on a project.  Since you're a project manager, this shouldn't be hard.  Now, how many projects have to cover comp costs.  Also, you can take total hours worked by the company (it's on the 300a form) and get how much per hour your company is spending on comp.

6.  Armed with this info, have a talk with the president/owner of the company.  Be prepared, you may be made the full-time safety person.

I'm an independent consultant, so I've had these discussions before with company presidents.  Many don't realize how much a safe work place can positively impact their bottom line.  That's why my company's slogan is, "Safety doesn't cost ... it pays."  (You are free to use it in your discussion if you want.) 

You can reach me at VabaSafety@aol.com 

Dave McGill, CIH, CSP

thanks guys! so far, your replies have been helpful.
like i said earlier...im still inexperienced and any advice will help me in some sort of way.
please continue.

I am not sure in your state, but in Michigan they have the CET, its an education training program that is free and they will send someone to your site and they use MIOSHA standards.  Your state might have something like that, but we have found it very helpful here at my company.

---

Elise Oras
Director of Sales & Marketing
LadderTech, L.L.C.

www.ladderport.com

With over 20 years in this business take this advice:

1. get yourself educated per suggestions already given.

2. manage claims, track, investigate and manage.

3. all the while taking management's/owner' temperature with regard to your efforts, if support is there continue, if not find another job.

Without support from the top, your efforts and job satisfaction will not be successful or satisfying.

Management commitment from the top is rare, do not assume you have it.

Jeff