We try not to include blatant commercials in our content.
But we would be remiss if we left out how the E+ system shapes safety culture in this series because, by design, that’s what it does.
We hope you can learn from the principles and key takeaways included here.
The E+ System is comprised of five core elements – establishment, education, early intervention, ergonomics and evaluation. We place Athletic trainers on-site, making weekly visits to a facility to implement and execute the system.
Establishment
What we do:
- Establish a written MSD prevention policy
- Establish an Ergonomics team
- Review OSHA 300 log, worker’s compensation records, and other records the facility keeps to develop a plan for implementation.
- Conduct initial training for upper management
- Communicate the new policies to all employees
- Implement a pre-shift stretching program for employees.
Key takeaway:
Establishing safety culture in an organization is not easy, and it doesn’t happen overnight. The establishment phase of the Ergonomics Plus system is designed to put the foundation in place to gradually build up the desired culture and corresponding results over time.
Policies and procedures are put in place, a team is formed, and a plan is developed.
Education
What we do:
- Initial basic training
- Ongoing, high energy education sessions for all employees
Key takeaway:
Educated decisions and behaviors require education. Employees will feel involved in their work and workplace, and empowered to manage their health and wellness. Education also ensures that supervisors, managers and technical staff members understand the importance of early intervention, and the benefit of using sound ergonomics principles in the design of work, and the purchasing of equipment and tooling.
Early Intervention
What we do:
- Weekly site visits to make rounds in facility
- 1 on 1 early intervention consultations
- Employees are educated on preventive techniques to proactively deal with fatigue and discomfort
Key takeaway:
Employees are appreciative of the company providing an outside resource (in this case, an Athletic Trainer) to take care of them. They see this investment in health and safety on the part of the company, feel more comfortable going to the outside resource (Athletic Trainer) with their pain and discomfort issues, and have another visible weekly reminder of how important health and safety is to the company (weekly visits and 1 on 1 consultations).
Employee perceptions of health and safety are amplified, further instilling a strong safety culture in the organization.
Ergonomics
What we do:
- Ergonomic evaluations are done on a priority basis
- Ergonomics team holds regular meetings
- Ergonomics improvement process
Key takeaway:
Ergonomics is an important part of management’s commitment to providing a safe place of work for employees. Having a sound ergonomics program should be a high priority item for all plant managers.
A great ergonomics program reinforces the company’s commitment to health and safety. An ergonomically efficient workplace increases quality, productivity and employee engagement, all important indicators of a strong safety culture.
Evaluation
What we do:
- Review OSHA 300 logs, worker’s compensation records and other records
- Conduct annual audit of the program
Key takeaway:
The evaluation stage drives a proactive, continuous improvement approach to your injury and illness prevention program. Awareness of the state of your program is critical to continuous improvement efforts.
Evaluation also allows you to show the tangible results of your program to your boss. Health and Safety can drive real business results for your company, and this is your chance to show it.
Your turn
Now we would like to hear from you – what system do you have in place to develop safety culture at your company?
Check out the rest of the Safety Culture 101 series.
