Identifying workplace hazards is the foundation of successful safety and health programs, says Ray Colvin of Safety Training Dynamics in The Woodlands, Texas. He provided us the following thoughts on using OSHA's Program Evaluation Program to judge how good of a job you do in analyzing your workplace and your accident and recordkeeping data.
The Occupational Safety and Health Act requires employers to identify "recognized hazards" that employees are exposed to at work. By developing a written list of these hazards you're in a better position to train employees, purchase PPE, safeguard equipment and processes, implement preventive maintenance, and demonstrate "good faith" safety leadership.