Date of Award
2001
Document Type
Practicum
Degree Name
Doctor of Education
Department
Programs for Higher Education
Advisor
Diane Bryant
Keywords
employee injuries, employee participation, incentive award programs, management commitment, Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, safety awareness, safety committees, safety information, safety management, safety planning, water utilities, workers' compensation
Abstract
The problem under investigation was that it was unknown that the absence of safety committees could influence workers' compensation costs to Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department. The purpose of this study was to develop a plan to establish safety committees. This plan may promote employee participation by increasing safety awareness that may reduce the overall rate of employee injuries. The research question for this study was, " What should be included in a plan to establish safety committees at Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department?"
Deliberations of formative and summative committees were established to develop criteria of the safety committee program and establish the guidelines of responsibility. They convened to devise an effective, practical formula to organize safety committees for a water utility department. They accomplished that objective. The results of the committee's deliberations established a safety plan, which includes structure for independent committees and roles and responsibilities for the members. There were three conclusions in this study. Management has accepted a proactive role for the safety of their employees. This concluded with the plan to establish safety committees at Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department.
Congruent with the implementation of safety committees, management will establish a safety incentive award program. Establishing a safety committee program has fulfilled legal directives as required by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
Three recommendations were made outlining how to distribute, publish and display safety information. Additionally, management would actively demonstrate their commitment to the safety program with an aggressive safety incentive / award recognition program.