Researching and Preparing Your Program

Before writing your program, gather as much information as possible about your current workplace conditions and practices. Identify potential problems. Conduct a comprehensive health and safety survey of your facility, including equipment, tools and chemicals. Look at your accident and injury data.

Gather any existing documents that can help you fill in the information. These documents can include the following:

• A fire escape plan;
• Local emergency contact information;
• Safety Data Sheets on hazardous substances in your workplace; and
• Workplace violence policies.

Identify the processes or policies that your organization lacks. Determine any other processes or policies you must implement.

Review Cal/OSHA standards applicable to your type of operation. Specific standards apply to some operations, such as the construction industry.

Create two levels of information: general and detailed. Document the general information in your IIPP and your employee handbook. Document the detailed information in the individual safety plans you develop to address the specific standards with which you may be required to comply.

For more information on developing an IIPP, employers can review Cal/OSHA’s Guide to Developing Your Workplace Injury & Illness Prevention Program.

Compiling the Written Program

Use the Injury and Illness Prevention Program for Non-High Hazard Employers to create your IIPP and determine the information you must supply. Your IIPP need not cover every detail. The IIPP constitutes only an outline of your entire compliance plan.

Use the detailed information that you collected in your research phase to complete the written programs for all other standards. Consider adding text to your employee handbook or safety manual for standards that do not require written programs.

• Injury and Illness Prevention Program for Non-High Hazard Employers

Maintaining the Written Program

The easiest way to help your organization avoid violations, injuries and legal claims is to keep your compliance information up-to-date and to communicate changes to your employees. Schedule a quarterly, semi-annual or annual review, depending on the nature of your business.