A fan of safety looks at it as a mandate, something they are required or told to do. If they wear orange shirts on Thursdays it is more to fit in or because they were told to. Fans forget about safety after they leave the plant, they fail to practice safety at home (i.e. don’t wear earplugs and safety glasses when mowing the grass). Fans don’t question things or fail to address safety concerns – they walk past a safety hazard and do nothing about it unless it impacts them. Fans follow the rules only when the safety guy or gal is in the area (or when a supervisor that is a follower of safety is in the area).
A follower of safety looks at it as a way of life, something that is the right thing to do with many benefits. Followers wear orange shirts on Thursdays to show that they believe in the message. Followers practice safety at home and on the road and share it with their families and friends. Followers question things that look or feel unsafe and bring them up or see that the concerns get addressed. They give feedback to their co-workers about unsafe conditions or behaviors and willingly accept feedback to improve their own safety performance. Followers strive to comply with the rules 100% of the time no matter who is in the area.
We are striving to be a company of safety followers, not fans in our ACTIONS and words. Emphasis on actions! What category do you fall under? Do a self-assessment – you probably have already determined where you are at with safety, if not give me a call and we can discuss. It’s not too late to change your ways.
We could say the same things about Food Safety as well.
Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not. – Dr. Seuss “The Lorax”
This concept was borrowed from a book entitled “Not a Fan.” A book I am studying at my church, I just adapted the concepts to safety.