Safety is #1: Just “talk” or reality?

One of the most common safety signs is the one the states “Safety is #1” or words similar to it.  Consider when and where you have seen those signs.  Now ask yourself, did you see and feel that safety was indeed #1 at the company where the sign was posted?  If your experience is similar to mine, the answer to that 95% or greater is “No”.

I was at a company not too long ago who had a painted in big letters on the outside one of their buildings that “Safety is our first priority” and had the CEO’s name underneath it.  The sign could not be missed when one pulled into the parking lot.  So I decided to ask employees and supervisors about the sign.  The employees without hesitation stated that safety is not a priority and gave reason after reason why that was so.  I met with a group of supervisors and asked them about the sign.  After a long pause one said that they were working on improving safety.  One admitted that safety hasn’t been a priority but that production truly was the priority.  So, why even have the sign?  Well, they stated it was the right thing to do.

I’m a firm believer that if something isn’t true, then doesn’t say it and certainly don’t put it in big letters where every employee can see but knows and feels it’s not.  That’s worse than not saying anything about safety.

Now consider your home.  Do you have a sign that says “Safety is #1”?  Of course you don’t.  Does that mean you and your children are unsafe at home?  Of course not.  You probably have had many conversations with your kids about safety, what to watch out for, what not to do without you being around, etc.  You’ve probably taken steps to ensure they don’t get into things they shouldn’t.  So you’ve created a safe environment.  There is no need to post a sign—it would be ridiculous!  You are walking the walk.  No need to say or state the obvious.

Let’s look at another example that will probably sound familiar to you.  A supervisor is having a “safety huddle” with his team.  He reminds them to slow down and work safely.  Then he looks down at his watch and notices the time and says, “Oh, look at the time.  We got to go and get to work if we’re going to get this job done on time today.

So, which is it?  Work safe or work fast?  Safety is #1 or Production is #1 or Quality is #1?  My point—be consistent in your words and deeds.

Can production, quality and safety be #1 equally?  Yes, but only if the design of work system (environment, layout, equipment, policies and organizational structure) are such that it equally supports workers and the output.  A human centered approach throughout is needed, otherwise they will always be out of balance, i.e. production will supersede safety.