3 Questions To Ask So You Don't Hate Your Next Safety Committee Meeting

#helpwithosha www.helpwithosha.com 3 Key Questions That Will Transform Your Safety Committee Meetings As a safety manager, I have to admit: I absolutely hate safety committee meetings. If you're in the same position, you know the feeling. You’re juggling logistics, trying to get everyone in the room, and trying to figure out what to serve—lunch, donuts, or just coffee? The task of getting the maintenance team on board can feel like pulling teeth. It’s a lot of work, but it doesn't have to be this difficult. Instead of pushing the burden onto yourself, let’s flip the script and focus on a strategy that engages everyone and makes the meeting more effective. In this post, I’ll share three essential questions that will take the spotlight off you and put the responsibility back on your safety committee. These questions will help you gather valuable feedback, which in turn will improve your safety efforts. Let's dive in! Why Safety Committee Meetings Often Fail Safety committee meetings should be a valuable part of your workplace safety program, but in my experience, they can quickly become ineffective. At first, you have a full room, everyone engaged and ready to talk about safety. But fast forward a few months, and attendance dwindles. People start asking, “Do we even have a safety committee anymore?” Don’t let this happen to you. With the right questions, you can keep your meetings productive, focused, and relevant to the real safety issues in your company. Question #1: What Are Two Ways Someone Could Get Seriously Hurt in Your Work Area? This question is a game-changer. It immediately prompts people to think critically about the potential hazards in their own work areas. This question should apply to everyone, regardless of their role. For office workers, this might mean thinking beyond their immediate environment and considering the entire facility. For maintenance workers, they’re already moving through various departments, so let them focus on the hazards they encounter. Question #2: What Are We Currently Doing to Prevent These Accidents? Once your team identifies potential hazards, it’s time to evaluate the current preventive measures in place. Ask them to take another few minutes to write down what the company is doing to prevent the accidents they listed. Question #3: How Can We Improve? This is where the magic happens. Once you've identified existing hazards and current safeguards, the next step is continuous improvement. Whether or not you’re in a manufacturing environment, the idea of continuous improvement is a powerful tool for safety management. Ask each member of your committee to brainstorm how to improve existing safety measures. This could be anything from adding additional training to implementing better equipment inspections or improving communication about hazards. This step encourages creative thinking and problem-solving, allowing everyone to contribute to the process. It’s important to note that the ideas don’t always have to be perfect. The goal is to foster a culture where every team member feels comfortable suggesting changes, no matter how big or small. How to Facilitate Effective Discussion Once everyone has written down their ideas, start the discussion by asking, “Who wants to go first?” Encourage everyone to share their thoughts on the hazards, what’s being done to prevent them, and how things can be improved. This discussion should last at least 30 minutes, especially if you have a larger group. Each person should have the chance to share their insights and suggestions. Turning Ideas Into Action After your meeting, it's crucial to take the information gathered and act on it. You’ll want to share the findings with your leadership team and make sure the necessary resources are allocated to implement improvements. Whether it’s creating new safety protocols, upgrading equipment, or funding training, action steps must be taken. Wrapping Up The three questions that will transform your safety committee meetings are: What are two ways someone could get seriously hurt in your work area? What are we currently doing to prevent these accidents? Need Help Preparing for an OSHA Audit? If you're a safety manager looking to take your efforts to the next level, be sure to check out my free OSHA Audit checklist. It’s an essential resource to help you determine if your company is prepared for an unexpected OSHA visit. You’ll also want to check out my online course, which provides in-depth strategies on preparing your management team for an OSHA audit. Until next time, stay safe, and remember: what you do matters. You're not just keeping the workplace safe; you’re helping people go home to their families at the end of the day.