We all have different New Year's Resolutions. Some of us resolve to lose weight or improve our health. Others resolve to spend more time with family. Still others resolve to improve themselves professionally. If you happen to be a supervisor, make one of your resolutions for 2008 to do a better job of keeping your workers safe. Let's discuss how.

How Good Are You Now?

The first step in implementing a resolution to be a better safety supervisor is to figure out where you stand right now. If your staff hasn't given you a "WORLD'S BEST BOSS" coffee mug - or even if it has - you probably could be doing things at least a little better. Here's a quick checklist you can use to evaluate yourself.

A good safety supervisor:

• Takes the initiative in telling management about ideas for safer layout of equipment, tools and processes;
• Is a professional when it comes to taking care of equipment and keeping it safe;
• Knows the value of machine guarding and makes sure that proper guards are provided and used;
• Takes pride in knowing how to use the equipment safely;
• Knows what PPE is necessary on each job and sees that such PPE is used;
• Takes charge of operations that are not routine to make certain that safety precautions are determined and observed;
• Arranges for adequate storage;
• Practices good housekeeping and makes sure that staff does likewise;
• Knows which materials are hazardous and how to handle them safely;
• Is an expert on waste disposal for good housekeeping and fire protection;
• Keeps an eye open for the worker who may be safer performing a different job;
• Continually talks safety and impresses safety on workers;
• Works with all persons they oversee without favoritism;
• Knows how to get people to work together;
• Establishes good relations with union stewards and the safety committee;
• Sets the example in safety;
• Understands the value of criticism and praise and exercises sound judgment in doling them out;
• Explains and demonstrates how to do a job safely and observes workers to ensure they do it properly;
• Investigates the seemingly unimportant incidents and takes corrective measures; and
• Keeps everyone informed of the safety policy.

Conclusion

When you're responsible for the safety of others, it's important that you regularly review how you're doing and note where you can improve. The new year is a great time to do that. Next week, we'll look at five broad areas on which to focus your efforts.

POP QUIZ

Happy New Year from Benjamin Franklin.

Who Said It?

By Ted Morrison

Match the following quotes on new year's resolutions with the famous person who uttered them:

1. An optimist stays up until midnight to see the new year in. A pessimist stays up to make sure the old year leaves.
2. Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man.
3. Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right.
4. One resolution I have made, and try always to keep, is this: To rise above the little things.
5. May all your troubles last as long as your New Year's resolutions.

Choices:
Oprah Winfrey
Bill Vaughan
Joey Adams
Benjamin Franklin
John Burroughs

Answers:
1-Bill Vaughan
2-Benjamin Franklin
3-Oprah Winfrey
4-John Burroughs
5-Joey Adams

Story Tools:  Email This Post  Print This Post Top