As a supervisor of a small manufacturing firm, you need to construct a plan

A. Identify the problem

1. construct a database of incidents which point toward the problem
a. Consult worker compensation claims filed as a result of accidents.
b. Review group insurance claims
c. Read any litigation, or union complaints filed
d. Research payroll records for time off and try to identify causes
e. Examine OSHA records produced as a result of onsite inspections
f. Search company records for evidence of incidents

2. With the list of incidents, go downline to floor managers and solicit comments for each incident within his/her area.

3. With all of that compiled, go upline to higher level managers to ask for comments about your database and floor manager information.

B. Narrow the field

1. Sort your information by department, by manager, by process, by section of the plant with the idea of pinpointing any recurrent issues.

2. Go back over the problem areas by whichever criteria were weighted over others.

3. Consult industry standards for any area that is causing a problem.

4. Consult any trade organization which may have data to assist you.

5. Review any other online research by narrow parameters

C. Formulate a series of steps to solve issues including defining costs for changes

1. Take your ideas upline for executive discussion

2. Consider hiring outside consultants to conduct a study with possible solutions