“A major flaw in our system of government, and even in industry, is the latitude allowed to do less than is necessary. Too often, officials are willing to accept and adapt to situations they know to be wrong. The tendency is to down-play problems instead of actively trying to correct them. Recognizing this, many subordinates…...
Safety Thought of the Week… The downward spiral of mediocracy in safety Read More »
Most of us who were adults in the 2000s can recall some silly claims made by “Infomercials.” You know… “The Juicer,” the “no-stick pan,” the “Snuggie,” the knives that slice a beer can and tomatoes, the “Shamwow” towel, and the list go on and on. Oh man, could they make the product seem as if…...
Has industrial safety become an “infomercial”? Read More »
Disclaimer: I am not a psychologist but have stayed at a Holiday Inn Express once or twice! This is my take on why “safety affirmations” like “Safety is #1“, “Safety is our top priority,” etc. fail time and again. Most everyone has heard of “affirmations.” These are the daily and deliberate things one says…...
Do affirmations work in changing safety mindsets within organizations? Read More »
Ten (10) core principles shape a “culture of safety.” Each may need a specific plan to develop, improve, or maintain while the others develop. Safety Culture – The shared values, actions, and behaviors that demonstrate a commitment to safety over competing goals and demands…. Membership Required You must be a member to access this content.View...
Ten (10) core principles shape a “culture of safety” Read More »
This 5-minute video from our friends “way down under” in New Zealand (NZ) is just three safety pros explaining their roles in implementing and managing risks using the NZ Aviation Safety Management System (SMS). These are three pros talking like real safety pros from the trenches, and they nailed it. Many organizations struggle with the…...
Safety Pros explaining their role in implementing and managing risks via a SMS (Video) Read More »
In essence, Quality Assurance is about determining gaps in the SMS elements based on non-compliance with regulatory or organizational requirements. It is looking at weaknesses in the safety management system, which increases risk. Like the quality assurance process, the safety assurance process includes requirements for analysis, documentation, auditing, and management review to meet performance criteria…....
What is Quality Assurance/Safety Assurance in a Safety Management System (SMS)? Read More »
There is a push by the transportation businesses to allow for single-crew cockpits in planes and trains, like what is allowed in commercial trucking. But is the risk the same across all three modes of transportation? Take the worst-case scenario you can reasonably identify in all three (3) modes and ask… what layers of protection…...
Single staffed cockpits (Commercial Planes, Trains, and Trucks) Read More »
What do I mean when I say, “we want our SMS to be more like a diesel engine than a bottle rocket“? It is a simple analogy that almost anyone can relate to. A bottle rocket may be easy to launch, but it is FAST, UNCONTROLLABLE, and in the end, it COMES APART soon after…...
We want a diesel engine, not a bottle rocket Read More »
When I first learned about the “management systems” approach to managing Occupational Safety and Health and Process Safety, I was taught to view them as a “spoked wheel.” This aligned with the Plan-Do-Check-Act cycle, so it made perfect sense. And ever since, I have been teaching Safety Management System courses using the “spoked wheel” images. …...
A Safety Management System (SMS) viewed as a “Wagon Wheel” Read More »
One missed opportunity for many businesses is an SMS Training Orientation for the new Safety Pros and Management Team members. The safety pro usually does not even sit through the “new employee safety orientation” when they arrive at the facility. But even rarer is an orientation for the safety and management team members on the…...
Does your SMS have a “Training Orientation” piece? Read More »
It is so sad when I hear a management team talk about how their employees are the problems with safety like they are some beasts that can’t be controlled. And the look on their faces is priceless when a “consultant” tells them they should be proud of the “beast they have created.” A review and…...
As a safety consultant, I can honestly tell you we are not the answer you seek Read More »
I propose this simplified Root Cause Analysis worksheet to clients seeking structure for their 5-Why approach. it is a beginner’s tool, but it does an excellent job of asking a series of high-level questions to help identify direct causes, root cause(s), and contributing factors and how each identified opportunity gets a corrective action to lessen…...
Root Cause Analysis Template Read More »
