It Takes a Group Effort – 6/17/24

Safety E-Quick Tip

OWYN Safety Management Platform

It Takes a Group Effort

Workplace safety has come a long way since that historical photograph of the eleven ironworkers 850 feet above ground on the RCA Building was taken back on September 20, 1932.

But it still has a way to go, and it will require a group effort.

A group effort that will require management and employees to work together to make it the best it can be.

As I mentioned last week, real workplace safety is more than just a slogan of “Safety First.”

It will take more than just playing the part of a safe company when the safety director or an OSHA Inspector is around.

Or putting on a safety meeting so someone can take photos for publicity.

Or completing some paperwork to show you took part in a safety stand down.

Yes, real safety will take a group effort and it will come at a cost. Your time, effort and money.

But the return on investment will far outweigh the cost – for everyone!

Employees will go home at the end of the day safe and sound, insurance costs will be kept in line, Workers’ Compensation rates won’t get out of hand, your company won’t be turned away from bidding work due to a high accident rate, and production will improve.

I know, it’s hard to believe that production could improve if you’re spending time on safety, but it will.

But you can’t hand the job off to one person like a supervisor, manager, or an office worker and expect it to work.

It will take a group effort.

If you’ve been struggling to implement a real safety program at your company, take some time and sit down with other management and employees to talk about why you haven’t been able to make it happen.

In the end I believe you will find that it’s because many think of safety as more of a slogan rather than a way to protect employees from hazards they are exposed to everyday.

And if that is what you come up with, don’t worry.  It’s just the first step in making safety a reality in your workplace.

Employee QuickTip

Be a part of something bigger than yourself. Make workplace safety for everyone a part of every workday.

Employer/Management QuickTip

You can’t make safety work by appointing one person in charge and hoping for the best. Get others involved and make your workplace safer for everyone. 

Thanks for Reading and Please – “Stay Safe this Week”.