Safety Culture Excellence

From:  http://emeetingplace.com/safetyblog/?p=169  One Thing That We Often Forget!

One thing that we often forget and equally if not more important than employee behaviors is management behaviors. If management is trying to create or improve the safety performance, they need to ensure that they demonstrate the same behaviors they expect from their employees. Employees are watching management very carefully during any process change. If management’s personal behavior is not consistent with the verbal and written messages they are sending, then the process will not work, the safety culture will not be trustworthy, and the management system will fail.

The management system and the safety program should be evaluated to ensure that it is effective and appropriate to specific workplace conditions. The management system must be revised in a timely manner to identify and help correct infractions during a management system evaluation.

One of the issues that I really struggle with is focusing on OSHA Total Case Rates (TCIR). In many cases, management has a tendency to focus on how well they are doing by using numbers to measure safety program success. I do not have a problem with presenting these statistics to upper management, as they are a good measure of the system, but one must remember that people get hurt not numbers. You must learn to focus on individuals as opposed to how well the numbers line up. You must focus on proven activities that will put the accountability where it belongs.

As top management, your visible commitment to safety can make a major difference in the quality of your employees work life. You can choose among a variety of formal and informal methods and styles for achieving this impact. Demonstrate to everyone that you are vitally interested in employee’s safety. Do this by making yourself accessible, encourage your employees to speak up about safety, listen carefully, and then follow through. Set a good example: follow the rules, make time to carry out your safety responsibilities, and insist that your managers and supervisors do the same. Make sure that everyone understands that you are in charge of a business where safety will not be compromised and where hazard awareness and safe work practices are expected of everyone, including on-site contractors and their employees .

From: http://emeetingplace.com/safetyblog/?p=169  One Thing That We Often Forget!