It is very important that partnership elements be measurable. Measurement is especially important in order to ensure that the approaches utilized are effective. Measures of success are important for demonstrating a cause and effect relationship based upon the incentives utilized, hazard controls implemented and overall success and failure of the partnership. As was mentioned earlier, one of the main benefits of the partnership is leveraging resources. Neither OSHA or its partners can afford to expend valuable resources in a partnership program without being reasonably assured of their investment return.
Measures are the best way to validate the partnership.
Obviously one of the prime measures OSHA expects it partners to keep is injury and illness data as required under the recordkeeping portion of the OSHA Act. Injury and Illness statistics are an important indirect measure of the quality of the safety and health system being implemented. There are many measures that can and should also be considered. OSHA is looking for both quantitative and qualitative measures. In the example above the measures for the quality can be accomplished easily with test scores, and the measures of effectiveness can utilize a tailored inspection and or audit form.