Creating a Vibrant Safety Culture in the Workplace

It is good to be enthusiastic and vibrant concerning safety in the workplace as long as it accomplishes something in the process.  Vitality is the key and it takes Leadership Behaviors as well as a cultural shift to occur.  The first step is that we have to eliminate present ideas.   Sometimes the ideas we hold fast to are actually the root cause of staleness in a workplace safety program.  Richard delivered fun, practical and immediately usable tips and ideas.  His advice and insights in this particular seminar have the potential to be the impetus to foster a cultural chage in any industry or field.  No matter what level you  presently hold in your company, it would behoove you to take a few moments out of your day to digest some of these highlights that I scribed and am relaying to he public  from his seminar.

4 BIG misconceptions in companies concerning safety

1. Safety is boring.  FALSE!  It is all in the approach.  If you are boring or bored with your present program, how do you expect others to want to participate?
2. Fun is the same as play.  FALSE!  Fun is energetic enjoyment.  You can make something fun while at the same time accomplishing work goals.
3. People act logically.  FALSE!  We need an emotional experience to change unsafe or risky behavior.  You must explore ways of getting people to be proud of their safety team and their accomplishments.
4. You’re not in sales.  FALSE!  It’s not enough to give dry, technical information.  Anyone with a computer and internet access can ‘google’ a topic and read about it.  You need to ’sell’ safety by first putting together a ‘marketing plan’ which will lead to personal stimulation about the idea of safety.

If need be you must be that one person who ‘moves the movement’ to create a powerful experience.

10 ways to become a more courageous and powerful leader

The following list is an invaluable tool and can be utilized regardless of what field you are in and can definately be used for safety officers as well.

1. Listen Better.  This is the most important subject yet often overlooked.  Read the next sentence 10 times for it to truly sink in.  PEOPLE LISTEN TO PEOPLE WHO LISTEN.  It is important to pay attention to nonverbal queues.  It can be viewed as a learning experience because you walk away from the conversation with the benefit if more knowledge.
   • You must make and maintain a committment to listen and understand what is being said.
   • It is very important that you also commit yourself to being perceived as a good listener.
   • You also should maintain steady eye contact with the person speaking to you.  Notice the color of the speaker’s eyes.  It might seem insignificant but this actually stimulates your ability to pay attention to subtle changes which also stimulates memory retention.
   • Dont play with keys, ens or other objects.  This means all distractions.  Keep contact with the speaker instead of walking or turning away until the conversation is over.
   • Avoid excess nodding or other body movements aimed to hurry the conversation.
   • Try to reduce external distractions.  This sends a signal that you are really paying attention and listening.
   • Don’t cut the speaker off mid-sentence.  This actually teaches patience.
   • Give verbal and non-verbal queues to show that you do or don’t understand. (Listen to the mood, i.e., the speaker’s son was injured, etc.)
   • ASK FURTHER QUESTIONS!!!  It has become human nature to formulate a relevant answer to either relay your story or to play ‘top this’ with the speaker.  Wait to give your story; it further proves you were listening.
2. Concentrate on the Positive.  Switch things around.  Granted metrics are important to record and report but it doesn’t always have to have a negative connotation.  Bring more positive reinforcement into the reporting: not just numbers of injuries or incidents.
3. Work on observation skills (Tap Root) Discovering the basal causes is the best remedy to prevent  potential accidents from occurring.
4. Learn how to conduct superb meetings.  Experiment on meeting structure and eliminate what doesnt work.  You might not see it but someone else will.
5. Get personal.  this doesn’t mean meddling in someone’s life.  this shows genuine concern.
6. Look for unique ways to show appreciation and praise accomplishments.  this must be group specific.  Giving rewards that people actually have interest in.
7. Become a marketing maniac.  Get employees to come up with ideas. 
8. “Hang out” better.  (More Listening) Take breaks with employees to talk about NON_WORK related topics.  This shows you are human just like everyone else and this builds more of a rapport.  It takes the separation away and helps employees to become more open and candid with you about safety issues on the job.
9. Be honest and consistent.  All employees across the board should receive the same coaching concerning safety violations and or other safety hazards on the job site.
10. Show enthusiasm and have fun.  this releases the spirit inside you.   You must stop the norm.  Find a theme and develop some kind of contest relevant to safety which will encourage more participation and employee buy-in.

     The folowing list is old news to many but these are good tips for a better meeting agenda.

• Encourage all to experiment.
• Put agenda items in question form-this creates movement.
• Cut down on the rehash-discuss an issue then close it.
• Set of rules incorporated into a charter
• Publicise accomplishments-give the team all the credit you can.
• Don’t let conflicts/problems simmer; eliminate bad apples or attitudes.
• Play now and again.  Start meeting with fun.  This brings meeting energy up.
• Recognize individual accomplishments and make sure you show enthusiasm.
• Finally-make having fun one of the team’s goals because remember: the safety committee is a representation of the workforce.  This boosts overall morale.

So in closing, it must be noted that accidents are called accidents on purpose.  It is almost impossible to eliminate all accidents.  These things happen that are beyond human control.  What can be eliminated or reduced is a six leter word that is never written into an accident investigation report-STRESS.  Duress is the number one cause of accidents and fatalities.  Stress reduces concentration and lack of concentration is where mistakes are born.