A Safe Attitude

When I am walking around a site, there are many indications that make it clear to me whether the management and workforce are diligent towards following safe work procedures. Some of them in themselves, may seem trivial, but combined they can give a clear picture of what is actually going on, what the actual attitude towards following procedures is.

Workers without appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (safety glasses & hardhats) in area's where the policies state or the worksite environment requires same, smoking in area's where the company or the worker could receive a fine while supervisory personnel are in eyesight range, Safety personnel who state that they are not getting support. These are just some, easily seen and commented upon.

This stems from the top, no one likes to look into the mirror and say "I'm the man" but in this case and similar ones; "if the shoe fits, then you wear it".

Senior management sets the tone for the job attitude towards safe work procedures on a worksite. It is far too easy to make the statement that those rules are not as important or that they are safe where it counts.

If you allow your workers to disregard rules in one area, then all areas will become negotiable, this is deadly.

Procedures and safe work rules must be doable and not unrealistic, then they must be enforced. If they cannot be enforced due to complexity or unsuitability, then they must be reviewed rewritten if required, removed if un-needed and if after this process, if the hazard still exists then re-instated (and enforced).

Christmas is getting close, the time of year when many of us (for not only personal reasons, but because of the TV commercials and shows, the music in shopping and public area's) may not be fully concentrating on our work.

Supervisors, you must be on the ball, managers, you must not let them down, train them and back them up!

I may get a chance to post again prior to the Christmas week, but if not, Best Wishes during the holiday season to you all. God Bless. js