Guide

How is a safety instruction written, and what is it for?

Giving instructions is a duty; but an instruction that works is one written in the language of the person doing the job, following that job's steps.

The duty side

Article 4(1) of Law No. 6331 lists "giving appropriate instructions to employees" as its own sub-paragraph among the employer's general duties. An instruction does not replace informing and training; it stands alongside them.

An instruction that does not work

One written in general terms, repeating the text of the legislation, with no clear job in view, does not change behaviour even when signed. "Work carefully" is not an instruction; it does not say what to do.

An instruction that works

It covers a single job or piece of equipment. It writes the steps in order, saying at each step what to do and what not to do. It names the protective equipment to be used. It says who to call in an unusual situation. It does not run past one page, and it is kept where the work is done.

Keeping it current

When the equipment, method or material changes, the instruction changes. Accident and near-miss investigations are its best feedback: if an event exposes a missing step, the instruction is updated.

In Optifora

Document management keeps the instruction with its version, records which equipment and role it belongs to, who has read it, and when it was last updated. When equipment or method changes, the related instruction drops into the review list.

  1. Choose the jobTie the instruction to one job or one piece of equipment; do not let the scope spread.
  2. Write it with the doerDraw the steps out on site, with the person who does the work.
  3. Order the stepsAt each step, write separately what to do and what not to do.
  4. Name equipment and limitsName the protective equipment to be used and the limit at which to stop.
  5. Post it and record itKeep the instruction where the work is done; record readers and the version.
  6. Review after an eventAfter an accident or near miss, reassess the relevant step of the instruction.

Manage this in Optifora

Optifora is not a single program but a compliance platform assembled from modules. The catalogue states which module is ready today and which is on the roadmap.

See what Optifora is