An injury and illness prevention program (IIPP) is a set of policies and procedures designed to protect workers from workplace hazards. An effective IIPP can help to reduce the number of injuries and illnesses that occur in the workplace, and can also help to improve worker morale and productivity. In California, employers are required to have an IIPP in place if they have more than five employees.
The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) has developed a template that employers can use to create their own IIPP. The template is available on the Cal/OSHA website. The template includes sections on the following topics:
Hazard Identification and Assessment
The first step in developing an IIPP is to identify the hazards that are present in the workplace. This can be done by conducting a workplace hazard assessment. A hazard assessment should include a review of the workplace, as well as interviews with workers and supervisors. Once the hazards have been identified, they should be assessed to determine the level of risk that they pose to workers. The level of risk will depend on the severity of the hazard, the likelihood that it will occur, and the number of workers who are exposed to the hazard.
Once the hazards have been identified and assessed, the employer should develop a plan to control the hazards. The plan should include measures to eliminate the hazards, or to reduce the risk of exposure to the hazards. The plan should also include procedures for monitoring the effectiveness of the controls.
Training and Education
Workers should be trained on the hazards that are present in the workplace, and on the measures that have been taken to control the hazards. Training should be conducted in a language that workers can understand, and should be tailored to the specific needs of the workplace. Workers should also be given the opportunity to ask questions and to provide feedback on the training.
Recordkeeping
Employers are required to keep records of all injuries and illnesses that occur in the workplace. These records should include information on the date and time of the injury or illness, the nature of the injury or illness, and the steps that were taken to prevent the injury or illness. Records should be kept for at least five years.
Review and Evaluation
The IIPP should be reviewed and evaluated on a regular basis to ensure that it is effective. The review should include an assessment of the following:
- The effectiveness of the controls that have been implemented to prevent injuries and illnesses
- The adequacy of the training that has been provided to workers
- The accuracy of the records that have been kept
The review should be conducted by a qualified person, such as a safety professional. The results of the review should be used to improve the IIPP.
An effective IIPP can help to protect workers from workplace hazards. By following the steps outlined in this article, employers can create an IIPP that meets the requirements of Cal/OSHA and that helps to keep workers safe.
