Taking Control of Workplace Safety

Phil La Duke

Introduction

HousekeepingWho Am I?What does it mean to take control of work place safety?

Provide Information Not Data

Collect data that is meaningful to operations Analyze data and turn it into information Understand what Operations will do with the informationIntegrate safety data into process dataProvide solutions and recommendations not questions

Advise Don’t Preach

Help Operations to own safety by helping them to better understand safetyFocus on prevention rather than correction.Don’t use scare tactics.Provide advice not lecturesUnderstand that while safety may be most important, it’s not always urgent

Be Proactive

Balanced Scorecard ApproachMonthly Strategy SessionsLeading IndicatorsAnalyze and Understand Safety Trends and Take Appropriate Action

Sample Scorecard

Leading Indicators

Trend Analysis: Injuries

Trend Analysis: Hazards Found

Trend Analysis: Hazards & Injuries

Understand Operations and Speak its Language

Know Operations “hot buttons”Understand how injuries impact your organization’s key measurablesUnderstand your organization’s business modelKnow---and be able to explain---the costs of worker injuriesDevelop a Safety Business Plan

Sample Safety Business Plan

Determining Your Safety Philosophy

Systems Oriented

Behavior Oriented

Indiv

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Corp

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Be A Change Agent

Understand that resistance to change is biologically hard-wired.Make simple and incremental changeUnderstand that organizations that are best able to adapt are most likely to survive and thriveUse safety to drive process improvements that positively impact your organization’s bottom lineFocus on problem solving and process improvement

Be A Strategic Business Thinker

Injuries are inefficient and cost money and productivity.Understanding the true cost of injuries.• Obvious costs• Hidden costs

Guide the review and change of Policies to reflect changes in the business environment.Worker Safety Insurance Board (WSIB) Costs

Obvious Costs of Safety

Insurance PremiumsLawsuitsFines

Hidden Costs of Safety

Legal FeesPublic Relations FalloutDisruption of ProductivityWork StoppagesTurnoverLower QualityProperty DamageScrap

ConclusionThe best way to take control of workplace safety is to understand your organization’s business modelModify your style to mesh with how Operations does businessBe proactiveFocusing on Problem Solving is a way to enhance both your reputation and value to the organizationYou must align your values with those of the companyQuestions?

Thank You!