You have just returned from a top$-$level staff meeting at which safety issues were the prevailing topic. A neighboring company has just received stiff fines because of several safety infractions, even though it had an ongoing safety program. Your CEO is concerned that the company may also incur penalties and has requested the HR staff discuss and select one option from the following proposals: $1.$ Hire a consulting company to thoroughly inspect your work facilities and to prepare a report on any unsafe conditions, unsafe work practices, and health hazards $($such as computer display terminal radiation and ergonomic problems$).$ The report could help keep work areas in compliance with safety regulations. Although the company has an informal system for keeping up with such matters, an outside, trained inspection team may be able to spot problems not noticed by company employees. There would be a one$-$time cost. $2.$ Hire a full$-$time safety specialist. The CEO suggests that the specialist report to the HR manager instead of the operations manager in order to maintain objectivity. The specialist$$s job would be to maintain safe working practices in the facility, to prevent occupational disabilities, and to conduct workshops on such topics as safe work practices, safety regulations, ergonomic issues, and preventative safety management. The CEO stated that she would assume the cost of the position if you can budget for the start$-$up costs. $3.$ Establish a Participative Safety Management Program. Voluntary teams would be formed in all work areas where safety is$,$ or could be$,$ an issue. The teams would look for safety problems, make suggestions for corrective action, and encourage safe work practices by everyone in their work area. $($Although you may already have an employee participation program, its primary responsibility is for quality and productivity.$)$ While there would be some ongoing costs of such a program, you will only be charged for the start$-$up costs$$primarily for lost time of those who would be trained to operate as a safety team. $4.$ Hire a retired safety engineer that a staff member knows to make an inspection of your facilities and write a report. While this tactic may or may not actually improve safety, the written report could be used as a defense in the event of a problem with safety regulations. $5.$ Do nothing at this time. Your staff feel your facility is a safe workplace and that no further action is required now. You may select only one proposal from those given below. $1.$ Have a consulting company inspect your facilities. $($Cost: $$8,000)2.$ Hire a full$-$time safety specialist. $($Cost: $$15,000)3.$ Establish a Participative Safety Management Program. $($Cost: $$8,000)4.$ Hire a retired safety engineer to inspect your facilities. $($Cost: $$2,000)5.$ Do nothing.