Minnesota has a requirement that certain industries must have “A Workplace Accident and Injury Reduction”(AWAIR) program. This program serves as the basis for a good safety programs. The program spells out:
- General policy statement about safety: what are the company’s general beliefs and policy statement about safety.
- Safety responsibilities: who is responsible for what related to safety
- Communication: how safety is communicated to employees
- Hazard identification: how new and existing hazards are identified and then how they will be controlled
- Accident investigation: how injuries and accidents that occur in the workplace are investigated, root causes identified and corrective measures taken
- Enforcement: how safety is enforced (discipline policy)
When working with companies, CHESS makes it a standard policy to develop an AWAIR program as part of a greater health and safety program.
The AWAIR program is being used as one possible model for the national I2P2: Injury and Illness Prevention Program, a program being considered for federal standards.
For more information, see MNOSHA’s website or contact us.