What is the purpose of a safety committee and who should participate?

• A. To oversee safety policy, review incidents, and promote safety culture; include workers, supervisors, management, and health professionals.
• B. To assign punitive measures for safety violations; participants: only managers.
• C. To audit financial costs of safety programs; participants: finance team.
• D. To design product safety labeling; participants: marketing team.

Answer: (A)

A safety committee exists to guide and coordinate the organization’s safety efforts by overseeing safety policy, reviewing incidents and near-misses, and actively promoting a strong safety culture. The best answer emphasizes broad, cross-functional participation: workers bring practical, on-the-ground insights; supervisors connect daily work with safety expectations; management provides resources and accountability; and health professionals offer expertise on health risks and medical considerations. This mix ensures policies are realistic, actions are effective, and the workforce is engaged in continuous improvement.

Other choices miss the core role: safety committees aren’t primarily about punishing violations, aren’t focused on auditing financial costs, and aren’t responsible for product labeling design.