I recently came across this depiction of the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) management model related to a Safety Management System. It is from our safety friends across the pond. Check it out, as well as their complete publication on the topic…
Maybe I’m just old school, but is it just too much to ask for: a well-written safety procedure, one that is written and analyzed with a safety pro and the worker(s) who do the actual work, that management will fully support the procedures everyday-everytime, including on holidays that fall on a Sunday, and employees will
What management thinks we are… Reality as to what we really are When it comes to creating a safety culture, most management teams think the safety leader has some kind of magic wand that they can wave and create the culture they want. When in reality, we are NOT culture builders! Culture comes from senior
Admiral Rickover’s 7 Steps to Safety Success need to be adhered to today more than ever! They are simple and timeless, as he lived by them in the 1950’s and 60’s while building the U.S. Navy’s Nuclear Power program.
A safety management system should mirror the manufacturing process’s quality management system. The only difference is the “customer”… in the manufacturing process the customer is external – in the safety process, our employees are our customers. Both management systems REQUIRE SAMPLING and ACCURATE process measurements.
A fair number of you are with me on my approach to industrial safety. I am a believer and user of HOP, SIF, and Psychological Safety, the three (3) major moevements in safety these days. But these movements NEED STRUCTURE to thrive inside a workplace. They are NOT standalone “programs,” and any snake oil salesperson
Every year about this time, I take time to reflect on the year. This year I had the privilege to spend 100% of my time with Union Pacific Railroad, but I stayed connected with many of you, and through our many late-night discussions, I am reminded that many businesses get blinded by all the tinsel
An ounce of PREVENTION is worth a pound of cure. PREVENT PROTECT MITIGATE
Over my 30+ year career in safety and health, I have seen and participated in many “flavor of the month” initiatives. Almost all of these were out desperately trying to achieve an OSHA rate. I know; there’s a lot to unpack with that statement. Probably the most significant movement of my career was the Behavior
As my time in the railroad industry comes to an end, I broke the ice with the FRA through some close friends in DOT/PHMSA to understand why/how the railroads are 50 years behind the times in how safety is managed. Through our many and lengthy discussions (many thanks to E.J. and others), I received a
