<img height="1" width="1" style="display:none" src="https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=690758617926394&amp;ev=PageView&amp;noscript=1">
Skip to content

The importance of a safety manual

December 20, 2017

Written by Complete Payroll

safety manual car

safety manual car

Employers are responsible for providing a safe workplace environment for their employees free from harm, health hazards, harassment, etc. Enforcement of workplace safety compliance is an issue that has gained increased attention from federal and state governing agencies.  

New Call-to-action

According to the federal Occupational Safety Health Administration (OSHA), an effective safety and health program can save as much as six dollars for every dollar invested.  On January 6, 2012, OSHA initiated a Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act (SBREFA) panel process to draft an Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP) rule. Where ever your business is in terms of a safety program, a safety manual is an important starting point for any company size. As a best practice, a company’s safety manual typically includes the following: 

  • Supervisor responsibilities
  • Employee responsibilities
  • Reporting
  • Safety policies
  • Equipment usage/handling
  • Chemical/hazard handling
  • First aid
  • CPR
  • Safety rules
  • Documents
  • Disciplinary action
  • Accident reporting
  • Injury reporting
  • OSHA logs
  • Protective uniforms
  • Cleaning workspaces
  • Opening/closing items  

Note: Twenty-four states operate their own OSHA-approved safety and health programs. Some state plan requirements may differ in certain aspects from federal OSHA. Regardless, state-imposed standards must be at least as stringent as the federal standards. 

While OSHA is currently in the process of developing new standards of an IIPP, employers still need to adhere to their workplace health and safety obligations.  So at a minimum, be sure to regularly review your company’s safety manual or consider establishing an IIPP.  With the right information, the manual should help your business meet OSHA requirements and achieve an in-compliance status well before an OSHA inspection occurs.  

New Call-to-action

DISCLAIMER: The information provided herein does not constitute the provision of legal advice, tax advice, accounting services or professional consulting of any kind. The information provided herein should not be used as a substitute for consultation with professional legal, tax, accounting, or other professional advisers. Before making any decision or taking any action, you should consult a professional adviser who has been provided with all pertinent facts relevant to your particular situation and for your particular state(s) of operation.

Get The Newsletter

Bi-weekly on Thursdays. We compile HR best practices, labor law updates & other content to help you pay and manage your workforce more effectively.

Complete Payroll Circle Logo
Ready to Make the Move to Payroll Country?

Get a Quote