A safety committee can be an important tool in your district’s overall safety program. The committee provides a forum for employees and administration to work together to solve health and safety problems. An effective committee can help prevent injury and illness on the job; increase awareness of health and safety issues among employees, supervisors, and administration; ensure compliance with health and safety regulations; and develop strategies to make the school environment safe and healthy.

Here are some suggestions for your safety committee:

  • Review and evaluate accident and near-miss reports to determine if the cause(s) of the unsafe situation was identified and corrected.
  • Conduct walk around inspections to identify potential health and safety hazards.
  • Conduct safety and health job analyses to identify problems.
  • Establish or improve procedures for employees to report safety hazards.
  • Assist in accident and near-miss investigations.
  • Accept, evaluate and respond to concerns and suggestions raised by employees.
  • Recommend, plan, organize and assist in safety training for new and existing employees.
  • Keep employees and supervisors informed about the committee’s activities.
  • Promote and monitor compliance with health and safety regulations.
  • Promote and publicize safety.
  • Work safely. Set a good example for others.

An effective safety committee can also help develop a sense of teamwork. As you find more and more ways to involve employees in workplace safety, the momentum for working safely will build. Employees will feel good about their contribution to the safety of their own workplace. If everyone does their part by doing what is necessary to ensure workplace safety and health, all will benefit.