CORESafety: Getting Started

The CORESafety^® Framework involves four basic steps. While companies will continue to refine and improve upon what they learn and do in the getting started phase, the four steps in getting started are:

STEPS	DESCRIPTION	RESOURCES
Step 1 Gain “Systems” Knowledge	Understand the difference between a safety and health management system (SHMS) and a safety and health program Familiarize management with the overall CORESafety framework’s 20 modules Sign the CEO pledge	CORESafety’s 20 Modules About Safety and Health Management Systems
Step 2 Define the System	Conduct a gap assessment to help define what your company has and what it is missing Develop an action plan to help close identified gaps	CORESafety Gap Assessment Tool
Step 3 Develop the Basic Structure	Ensure strong senior management support and ownership Select a leader to have overall responsibility for system development and implementation Integrate Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) and Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) compliance requirements into the system	About Safety and Health Management Systems CORESafety SHMS Implementation Guidance Document Understanding OHSAS 18001:1999 and ANSI Z-10
Step 4 Assign Responsibilities and Fix Accountability	Assign an individual to each of the system’s 20 modules (this can be done over time) Integrate the system within the overall organization by providing diversity when assigning responsibilities, e.g., department manager, safety and health professional, member of technical staff or an hourly employee	About Safety and Health Management Systems CORESafety SHMS Implementation Guidance Document

When you have made sufficient progress on these steps, you are ready to start the implementation phase of the CORESafety safety and health management system. Remember, you will learn more as you do more—it’s all part of the continuous improvement cycle.