OSHAcademy Safety Training Network - Responsibility, Authority, and Accountability Checklist

Responsibility, Authority, and Accountability Checklist

In order to accomplish anything in the workplace, supervision must have the tools of the trade available. For the supervisor, the essential tools are the assignment of responsibility for a function or activity, the authority to do the job, and accountability to senior management to see that it is done. Using the following checklist, supervisors can determine if, in fact, they do have the tools necessary to do their job in safety. For selfdirective work teams, the team must decide these issues.

Typically, these tasks are the responsibility of the supervisor for which he/she has complete authority and for which they are held accountable. They should also agree that these are of key importance to safety and health. Where check marks fall outside the "Yes" or "Complete authority" box, the recommended action is for the supervisor to discuss the situation with senior management and agree on steps necessary to assume appropriate responsibility, authority, and accountability. Note however, it is acceptable to delegate some of these items to assigned employees. This is part of the empowering process.

Source: RIT OSHA OUTREACH CENTER - Harwood Grant