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Is Your Safety Program Really #1?
Your organization says that safety is #1. But is that just talk? Take the following quiz and see if safety is indeed a priority in your organization. (Be honest.) Score one point for each “Yes.”
1. The word “safety” is part of your organization’s mission statement.
(Score 2 points if it’s in the first sentence or in first paragraph of a lengthy statement.)
2. At your daily/weekly leadership meetings or teleconference to corporate, safety is a permanent topic.
(Score 2 points if it’s the first item discussed/reported.)
3. There is a handout for all visitors detailing company safety policies.
4. Plaques/awards/banners promoting safety are prominently posted in your lobby.
5. When the corporate brass come to visit, safety is always a topic.
6. Safety performance is one of the measuring tools for managers’ bonuses and/or pay raises.
(Score 2 points if it’s part of both or has at least 25% impact.)
7. You are a VPP site or are actively seeking VPP status.
8. The plant manager will immediately shut down a line if you raise a safety issue.
(Score 2 points if he/she ever did so at their own initiative.)
9. You have direct communications with the plant manager and/or company president, if on-site.
10. The plant manager or company president sometimes approaches you with safety concerns or questions (i.e. they don’t wait for you go to them).
Score:
10-14 Outstanding! Safety truly is #1 in your organization.
8-9 Pretty good safety commitment. Keep pushing.
6-7 Could go either way. Do you feel you’re progressing or not?
0-5 Uh-oh. You have your work cut out for you. Regardless of what the company says, safety is NOT #1.
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Although we scored extremely well on the test above, the Safety is #1 mantra is something we do not subscribe to as safety is considered as a part of everything we do. We say that Safety, Quality, and Efficiency go hand in hand, and is managed right along with all business functions. I know that initially it takes a little bit of thought to get one's mind around the dismissal of the Safety is #1 mantra, but if you think about it, if all an employee did was stand around and be as safe as possible, efficiency would suffer (and we would not have jobs), likewise, if we put everything we had into making a product ultimate primo quality, our production would be less than optimal (and we would not have jobs). If we put all of our efforts into making as much product as possible, we would hurt a lot of people and make a substandard product (and not have jobs). If we have a great production run, with awesome quality, and we hurt someone - we have failed (we would not have jobs). If we have the best quality, but fall short in production, we dont hurt anyone - we have failed. It is just like the three legged stool - if one leg is shorter, or broken, it will fall. We like to say that we make a quality product safely, in an efficient manner. They are all three equally important.
Glad to hear you score well DJ & I agree with your thoughts. If Safety truly permeates your plant, there is no need to advertise the fact. It's kind of like saying "I have an open door policy". If I truly am accessible, I have no need to advertise the fact. As for quality, I have long felt Q/A & Safety are two sides of the same coin; if Employees are focused on their safety they will get quality as well. Keep up the good work! Gerald Edgar