Rank: Guest
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Posted By Adrian Watson
In 'Re: Satay Safe - Don't Gamble with Your Health' posted by Andy Petrie on Friday, 23 August 2002 andy stated "The message of 'Safety First' is one that many of us in the industry have been trying to get rid of for a long time. As we all know safety is not first, and I can't think of one instance where it is. The truth is profit is first, and so it should be, that's why we are all in business.
The good news for us is that nowadays profit depends on a company having a good safety record. Staff health is always good for business and the effect of fines, compensation, bad publicity and increased insurance are plain to see.
The trick is getting the balance right, and that is no easy task, and that's where risk management comes in.
Companies claming Safety First and setting zero accident targets are getting it wrong. Targets such as this should be both realistic and achievable. Don't lie to your staff and don't lie to yourself, it's not an easy task but getting the balance right is achievable."
What's your view?
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Rank: Guest
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Posted By Adrian Watson
My response was:
Sorry Andy,
Whilst I see your sentiments I can't agree. I understand that companies must make a profit to survive. However profits shouldn't come first. Wherever and whenever this has happened, peoples have been exploited, injured, suffered ill health and their environment has been desecrated. This happened in the past, happens today in the third world and would happen everywhere in an unrestrained free economy.
What I want to see is a realistic balance. I do not wish to go to work believing that my health, safety or my or my children’s environment is going to be compromised for somebody else’s benefit. I feel that those in control of the organisation should not be making decisions that produce results which they would not accept if they were the not the direct, and in many cases sole, beneficiaries of those decisions.
Because I truly believe that standards do not rise to the highest level, but fall to the lowest level that society will accept there must be regulation and enforcement of that regulation if there is to be a level playing field for the benefit of all.
In the end my bottom lines are simple "Can I look myself full in the face with the decisions that I have made?" and "Would I accept the conditions if I was working there all the time?" Each of us has our own moral and ethical barometer. Do you really believe that profits come first?
Many Regards Adrian
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