ARE YOU ACCOUNTABLE?
ARE YOU ACCOUNTABLE?
The dictionary defines “Accountability as
being able to account for or answer to”. The word “Accountable” refers to being
responsible or legally bound to giving an account. In the quest to provide and
maintain a safe workplace, it is crucial that you and every member of your
organization be educated on the relevance of occupational safety and health
relevant to their job functions. For anyone to be held accountable, safety
policies and disciplinary measures must be stated specifically in written form
which must be disseminated to all workers. Safety education informs the worker
on why it is vital to engage in safe work procedures. Ask yourself the
following questions.
(1) How do we measure the standards of performance of our employees?
Have all employees been educated on the
organization’s policies and safe work procedures? If, so they have to certify that they have
read, they understand and are ready to comply with the company’s safety
policies and procedures.
(2) Have we provided sufficient resources and psychosocial support? Have
the employees been provided with safe work tools, equipment, machinery,
facilities and environment? Do they also have reasonable work schedules,
effective safety education and training, competent management and a leadership
that is caring and sincere?
(3) Is there adequate supervision of workers while they are engaged in
the work? If the supervisor is usually in the office all day, how will it be
possible for him to oversee the way employees work? It is his responsibility to
detect and correct hazardous conditions and unsafe acts before there is an
occurrence of injury or illness in the workplace. It will be inappropriate for the safety
supervisor who does not adequately oversee how employees are working, to want
to discipline such employees after an accident occurs.
(4) Is there appropriate disciplinary measures to penalize workers who
are caught violating safety rules? Or is it that the supervisor will only
threaten the worker with empty words without following through with disciplining
defaulters? If supervisors allow
employees to violate safety rules, all justification for discipline disappears
(5) Is the safety supervisor leading by example? Is he adhering to all
the safety rules and policies? Is he setting the right example for his
employees?
Note: A basic rule of
thumb for any accountability system states that, “a person should be held
accountable for a responsibility only if he/she has control or the capacity to
fulfill that responsibility” Before you hold your employees accountable in
complying with all safety policies and regulations, you and your organization
must have first of all done your own part. You can only have answers to all the
questions raised above after settling your own part.
In conclusion, everyone one in your organization is to be held
accountable in maintaining safe workplace, as long as they have been empowered
to do so.
RegardsGoke Akingbade
gokeakingbade2@gmail.com
gokeakingbade.blogspot.com
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