Issue link: http://psai.uberflip.com/i/1159010
W EEKLY EDITION AUGUST 21, 2019 Building a Culture of Safety Part I: Precursors to Seri ous Inc id ents By Karleen Kos, PSAI Executive Director 1. Take a look at your company and how it runs . How many of these precursors are a regular part of your operations? Are there others specific to our industry that you know about? For example, we know that driving tank vehicles is a big challenge – so it's pretty lik ely that drivers who have challenging routes in high - traffic areas and significant time pressure are experiencing several precursors. Are there other things in your operation that immediately come to mind? Make a list. 2. Get honest about how your company ap proaches safety . Is it "a necessary evil" that you attend to because some government agency or insurance company requires it? If so, you are likely doing the bare minimum and involving as few people as you can. I once worked for an organization that was required to have a safety program. Though our operation had more than 100 employees, a physical plant and assets valued at $25 million covering three full city blocks, and plenty of hazards, the then - COO felt the safety program was the responsibility of th e maintenance department. He assigned them to "come up with what we need" after being told by our insurer the plan was needed. The Director of Maintenance went to his office and, a few weeks later, presented the rest of us with 3 ring binders containing ou r "safety program." I am sure he did a decent job at what he was assigned, but the problem was this: no one else's issues or expertise were included, there was no buy - in, and – when things eventually went wrong – it was clear the program wasn't followed be cause no one really knew what was in it. For a safety program to do you any good it has to include: • Management commitment and employee involvement. • Worksite analysis including the best on - the - ground information about hazards and dangers your employees fa ce • Hazard prevention and control, including risk mitigation strategies that everyone in your company understands and buys into • Safety and health training • Ongoing communication about how to deal with the daily stressors and precursors that can make an accid ent or fatality more likely Next week: Behavioral - based Safety P AGE 11