Communications and Safety

One element for moving the safety mentality within yourself or your organization to a completely different level is communication. This is the cornerstone to any safety program. The bottom line is this; we have to talk to each other!

I’ve had the pleasure and honor of developing comprehensive, robust, and working safety programs for large pilot training facilities. And the component always on the top of the list? Communications. More people in this environment seem to pass like ships in the night, never acknowledging or greeting one another and, as a result, never learning that important piece of information that could reduce the possibility of a safety related issue.

Any safety program can improve their strategic safety position by employing these few items into their program:

1.      Visibility

I’m not talking about wearing a bright orange vest or a yellow hardhat to distinguish safety personnel from other staff, but there must be a way to identify a person as a safety representative.  Perhaps a company ID badge or a variation in uniform? Whatever is decided, it has to be known and shared amongst everyone. This brings me to the next component;

2.      Communication

Challenge yourself and others to step outside their comfort zones and engage others in conversation. Never spoke to that senior member before? The new guy/girl? Now is the time. Share information and discuss topics freely. Without sharing information, we are going to repeat errors that could have been prevented.

3.      Education

A functional safety program cannot be involved in disciplinary or punitive action. Safety personnel must be committed to professional development and education of everyone under their care. People make mistakes. Let them experience the mistake and then help them understand how it could have been prevented. Enlist the help of others, if necessary.

4.      Action

Seems trivial, but a safety program that doesn’t have methods for taking action on reported safety items will not sustain itself. People want to see results from their input, no matter how small. Even if the action is only a follow-up with the original reporter, make sure something is done.

 

Hopefully this little bit of information will guide you in the right direction.

Remember, your ability to communicate will have a lasting effect on your future as well as the future of others.