BUILDING YOUR TEAM OF SAFETY LEADERS

When it comes to a safe working environment, the more participation you have at all levels of the organization, the better. Safety is a team sport. It is preferable to have each and every employee actively engaged in the safety program versus supervisors playing “gotcha” with employees when safety violations are observed. When the supervisor makes a correction and leaves, it is likely that corrected employees will revert to bad behaviors. So how do we build a team of safety leaders who are engaged?

Employees need to take personal responsibility for their safety as well as the safety of their coworkers. Employees need to be present when on the job and take action when a safety issue is noted. This includes talking to a fellow employee if necessary and reporting an issue to a supervisor. Issues need to be addressed quickly. Employees (at any level) should never simply walk-by a safety issue. This is a tacit approval for the condition or behavior. Employees need to embrace the concept that a facility can only be as safe as the people working in it. This requires personal responsibility and accountability.

Regardless of job or title, safety leadership is driven by actions, not words or titles. Actions include leading by example. That means following procedures, wearing PPE, and making decisions that place a priority on safety. Asking questions is another key component. If an employee is unsure if something is unsafe they need to ask questions. Employees should also have a mind-set of chronic unease. This means continuously asking are we safe or is this safe? Employees should also exercise stop work authority if unsafe conditions are present.

So, what can be accomplished if you build a team of safety leaders at your facility? First, safety awareness will be raised. This will lead to overall safety performance improving. With more eyes watching out for safety the potential for accidents will be decreased. This will ultimately result in cost-savings for workers compensation insurance as well as lost productivity due to injuries. Taking this approach will also foster a team atmosphere and enhance communication.

As you can see, building a team of safety advocates is a win/win situation, so start building your team of safety leaders!