I’ve upped my bicycling game over the last year. This summer I plan on completing my first one-day, 100 mile trek – on my Trek. But as some of you have already experienced – breakdowns will happen. Over the last few weeks, I’ve had a couple of broken spokes and chain, and a flat tire. No fun when you have to walk your bike a few miles. And I was well prepared on a very good bike. Through these circumstances, I’ve learned the importance of preparation but I’ve also learned that people step-up to help when you’re down. People take action quite readily – and in some ways, I’m not surprised. It’s the norm where I ride along the Great Allegheny Passage. But what’s the norm in your culture for safety? Do your workers step-up to help each other? Do they look out for each other? When there’s a new employee, do workers take their “safety blinders” off and are they ready to help others complete tasks successfully and safely? How about your supervisors? Do they rush to get back to their offices when in the field or on the floor; or do they regularly take time to scan and observe the work environment, engage workers, listen, and offer meaningful feedback? Do they encourage people who need encouragement?
Oftentimes, the pace of our day creeps in to place safety blinders on us all. So it stands to reason, in which circumstances do the safety blinders go up and on for your leaders and workers? How can you encourage and remind them that when the blinders are removed, there are many, many opportunities to engage, listen, and support the workers who need just little bit of their attention?
I fully understand that there are a host of reasons why people don’t step-up to be engaged as a safety coach or safety leader. Extending and breaking-down that same thought – looking out for each other, empathy, openness, and community are critical to the health of any organization’s culture for safety. But what’s the norm in your organization, especially when it comes to the safety of those who need a helping hand?