Do formal evaluations need to be conducted for all safety devices?
The employer may determine the type of evaluation that should be conducted that solicits representative input from the frontline users of the device. This may be done formally or informally. A formal evaluation might include a pilot study on a particular unit with written evaluation forms being completed by each worker. An informal evaluation might include sample devices being brought to the department or setting for a representative sample of frontline workers chosen to evaluate the device and provide informal feedback. In this case, you might choose to use an evaluation tool for more formal input or simply record the information from informal discussions with frontline staff. Frontline worker involvement in the evaluation and selection of safety devices can help promote acceptance of these devices when they are implemented. Although it may not be feasible to have every worker that will use a device be involved in the selection and evaluation of a device, a representative sample of wo
