Supply Chain safety policy implementation,monitoring and communication is a critical function for supply management leaders and if you recall the BP oil leak, you begin to get some context on this vital supply management function. So long as everything goes well, no one realizes the systematic steps you take to maintain safety within your organization and your supply chain. Just in case, something does go wrong it helps when you have a clear documented safety plan including its implementation, monitoring and communication both within your organization, your supply chain and also with your customers.
For example, today on Halloween chocolate covered peanut m&m's packs must be clearly marked "peanut" as you can see in the picture, so that children and parents are aware, in case of peanut allergies. Clear markings on individual packages is a result of good implementation, monitoring and communication between the marketing and supply management folks at m&m and packaging suppliers who supply the printed film. Also involved are packaging quality folks who should have clear protocols to confirm that that each pack has the "peanut" word prominently displayed and there is no inadvertent slip due to packaging machine problems.
Fortunately for the supply manager, workplace safety laws like the Occupational Safety and Health (OSHA in the US ) provide important guideposts to identify federal,state and local safety laws that must be followed by the organization and also the supply chain. Here tier-2 suppliers are also not excluded for safety liability from the buying organization simply because the supply manager has put a "safety compliance" clause in the contract. Even when the goods are purchased overseas, corporate social responsibility (CSR) requires that the supply manager takes an active role in ensuring that safety is followed as, pointed out in an earlier CSR post.
Other important laws that provide safety guidelines are the US-DOT safety rules (see the Compliance Aids section) particularly for transportation of hazardous goods.For handling hazardous goods within the organization Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) must be posted so that personnel are aware of safe handling practices. Innocuous products like cleaning solvents and ink toners need safe handling and there are numerous websites that give you guidelines for MSDS requirements.
Finally, even after goods are sold the supply manager should keep good records of safety processes followed, in the supply chain and organization for 4-6 years following the UCC in the US before statute of limitations start to apply. However, this must be confirmed with your country and company legal department.
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