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If you could do just one thing to improve H&S Management
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Posted By Andrew Palmer
Hi
I have just taken on Health and Safety for a Housing Association with 600+ staff, including field staff (housing officers) care staff (residential care), estates workers (mowing etc) and of course office staff.
We already have much in place, and with a NEBOSH cert I have some new ideas to bring to the party. I thought it would be useful to ask all the experienced forum users "If you could just do ONE thing to improve the overall management of health and safety - what would it be and why?"
A nice simple one for a Friday afternoon!
Take care
Andrew
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Posted By John Murphy
For the selection of contractors
Join CHAS!!!!
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Posted By Peter Leese
I think Andrew was looking for 'sensible' suggestions.
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Posted By The toecap
Somehow, get people more interested in importance of the safety culture and not the having to fill forms in as an umbrella.
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Posted By Brian John Abbs
"Reclaim" Health and Safety from the accountants and managers who have made the phrase an excuse for unpopular operational or financial decisions.
I do not wish to posit and example, I'm sure you all have dozens.
BJ
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Posted By Ian G Hutchings
Andrew
Get the most senior and influential people on side (not easy in itself!). Then ask them to go out and tell their direct reports how important health and safety is to them personally.
Effective tours and auditing. Where people influence through discussion and questioning, not just ticking an inspection form.
Good luck
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Posted By Brian John Abbs
In light of Ian's response, after you have gained management commitment you could instigate a programme of senior management safety inspections. Depending on your management structure, nominate certain senior managers (I'd suggest MD, Finance Director, and Operations Director) to carry out a small number (2-6) safety inspections per month.
This has a number of benefits.
- Proves management commitment to H+S
- Which leads to the workforce committing to H+S
- Provides extra pairs of eyes and ears
- Gives you more data to work with for trend analysis (if you set it up correctly)
I have used this tool in the past with positive results.
You will have to train the managers/directors, and it may take some time to get it right. And don't be afraid to publish results of the inspections and the number carried out.
Hope this helps
BJ
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Posted By John Murphy
Peter clearly thinks my suggestion was not sensible. Whilst it was presented in a light hearted manner (because of the thread on CHAS) it was not intendd as flippant or just a silly throw away comment.
From experience working with many housing associations particularly those who do not or have not had a safety adviser in post, contractor selection and management procedures are in many cases non-existent or very weak. If your association has adequate arrangements then great but if it does not, then CHAS can help. Having given this explanation I hope you will find it sensible and helpful. Excuse my sense of humour!
Regards
John
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Posted By Andy Brazier
Ian and Brian have given excellent ideas of what to do.
Mine is more an objective than something to do. Make sure the safety function in the business is a way of getting things done safely and never a reason to not do something.
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Posted By Brian John Abbs
Good call Andy.
As a better safety man than I once said.....
"Our job is not to tell someone what they can't do, our job is to tell them the safe way to go about doing it."
I endeavour to work by this maxim.
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Posted By Andy Brazier
Brian
That's a great quote. Who said it?
Andy
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Posted By Brian John Abbs
I'm not sure he would want me to publish his name. But I do work with him, and can prove he exists.
Unfortunately He'll be retiring in a few days, and that is a loss to the industry.
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Posted By Brian John Abbs
I must add that this ethos is the basis of how we work in our consultancy.
It means we have to do a lot of research and development. We have to "sell" new ideas to clients and contractors and sometimes it takes a lot of effort. BUT....
I'd rather be at the forefront making things work, than walking around with a clipboard ticking boxes.
I suppose there is one more tip for Andrew.
Don't be afraid to try new things.
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Posted By Peter Leese
I got the joke John, I'm just sorry you didn't get mine.
Friday postings aren't what they used to be!!
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Posted By alex mccreadie
As Toecap says get everyone interested in the Safety Culture. My feelings are make everyone part of the team. Teamwork is what makes everything happen. We need regulations but the workforce need to feel they are part of the company not just bottom of the ladder.
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Posted By Hugo
Hi, all!
Andrew I hope you are as encouraged by the responses so far by serious and commited H&S people in the forum in reply to your question.
I have carried an H&s remit through Government and Public sector and am now in the private (construction) sector.
I agree that its all about culture - people, you need to bring the top end players on board (delegate upwards) with a pat on their backs to make them feel good, and work closely with the greater numbers at the bottom of the pyramid - these people are the company/industry, they will provide great input and if you show a human approach they will support you all the way. Do you have a representative section?
i have been rather disappointed myself in the construction side, i see cost targets, cost cutting and poster and propaganda H&S.
On a cynical note - IIF, yeah the really big posters!! In the US Labor Dept. this stands for Illness, Injury and Fatalities!!
The sticker looks good though on your hard hat!
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Posted By B Smart
I wouldn't simply do one thing, I'd have to do two. The two things that I'd do to improve H&S Management are:
1) Introduce an accountability training session with management, highlighting their responsibilities, for which they would be held accountable and post an accountability map of the workplace in a prominent place, eg the safety notice board.
2) I would introduce training for 'Personal Responsibility for Safety', so that everyone in the workplace knows their obligations towards H&S.
After that I'd insist on a pay rise.
B. Smart
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Posted By steve e ashton
If I had ONE thing only.... Decant all the occupiers into local authority stock.
No more breakages, no more injuries, no more complaints, a lot less depreciation.....
If I could have a second .... Sack all the staff.
No more injuries, no more training, no more complaints, reduced wage costs...
Life would be so much simpler.....
(With thanks to the script writers of 'Yes Prime Minister')
And seriously? With only one thing to do? Try to get an MD/CEO who has suffered serious injury or life threatening illness. Learning from experience is so much easier when the experience is your own!
Steve
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Posted By Andrew Palmer
Thanks everyone for a thought provoking and amusing response. I can see I'm joining a passionate bunch of people!
Take care
Andrew
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