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#1 Posted : 17 September 2009 16:45:00(UTC)
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Posted By Rommel Hi all, I have a real problem with getting the guys on site to talk to me about health and safety issues, I want to get their opinions and get them involved in the decision making, although I have a very good relationship with most of them but for some reason the shy away when I talk to them about h&s. a colleague suggested to introduced a suggestion box. So in your opinion, what would be the best way to get them to communicate and be more comfortable about discussing the issues? any ideas? Many thanks for your help
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#2 Posted : 17 September 2009 16:49:00(UTC)
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Posted By riskybizz Maybe the "cafe van" approach would work? It's worth a try...
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#3 Posted : 17 September 2009 17:31:00(UTC)
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Posted By Stuff4blokes Try dropping the Nazi identity.
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#4 Posted : 17 September 2009 17:38:00(UTC)
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Posted By Raymond Rapp You could provide a confidential questionnaire to find out what they think. Further to this you could use the results as means of 'extracting' some conversation out of the guys. Ray
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#5 Posted : 17 September 2009 19:29:00(UTC)
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Posted By FAH Hi Rommel Which industry - construction or offshore? If either, absolutely no surprise. Frank Hallett
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#6 Posted : 17 September 2009 19:43:00(UTC)
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Posted By Merv Newman You could try a variant on the "Prince of Wales" question : "Have you come far (for this investiture, coronation, garden party, Polo match ....) ?" Try :"What's the greatest height you have ever fallen from ?" or "Do you have many scars ? or "what's the daftest H&S story you have ever heard ?" or even (I'm on a roll) "What's the daftest safety rule you have ever heard ?" Happy listening. Merv
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#7 Posted : 18 September 2009 10:17:00(UTC)
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Posted By Rommel Well, it is a construction site, so as said no surprise there. I will try the few good suggestion posted here and ignore stupid comments
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#8 Posted : 21 September 2009 08:50:00(UTC)
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Posted By Bob Youel are the guys PAYE or self employed and if PAYE have they been employed for that job only as staff with some time in may feel that they are more protected - Self employed and short term PAYE may think that they are lifting their heads above the parapet even though you are well meaning
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#9 Posted : 21 September 2009 10:47:00(UTC)
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Posted By Delwynne I work on a construction site and find most of the guys very forthcoming when it comes to H&S issues. I've always made a point of spending some time 'playing' on site, getting the guys to show me what they are doing and (if it's safe) asking them if I can help. Most of them are usually more than happy for me to make a complete fool of myself trying to do the things which they find so simple and I often find this is a good "in" to getting them to discuss the H&S problems with the activity, which then leads them onto to talking about other H&S problems. The biggest challenge is trying to get things changed, as if the guys don't feel that I'm actually going to do anything then they won't bother talking to me, but as long as I keep them up to date on what is going on & why things aren't happening I generally find they're reasonably ok with this. It's just an idea, but it works well for me. Best of luck.
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#10 Posted : 21 September 2009 16:49:00(UTC)
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Posted By Sharon Wooller Form relationships by talking about anything but health and safety, then lead into safety by trying to relate it to other areas (hobbies etc) they may be interested in ........... worth a go
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#11 Posted : 22 September 2009 11:31:00(UTC)
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Posted By Peter Tanczos Depends on the overall "mood" of the employees when you're talking with them. I've often had results by saying " If there's one H&S rule you'd get rid of, which would it be?" Followed up with "What would you replace it with?"
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#12 Posted : 22 September 2009 16:11:00(UTC)
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Posted By I. M. Twining I've always found one of the best ways is to show that you do actually listen to what is said and act upon it. Plenty of feedback, even if it is negative, lets the operatives know that you take their ideas on board. By negative feed back I don't mean saying things like "What a stupid idea" or "Did you think of that all by yourself?" sort of thing, but more along the lines of "We've considered your idea but due X,Y & Z we can't put it into place at the moment. Instead we're looking at doing J, what do you think?" Give them a reason to believe their contribution is going to be taken seriously and they will take you up on it. Treat them like idiots and they'll ignore everything you put in place including those that could save their life.
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#13 Posted : 22 September 2009 16:50:00(UTC)
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Posted By James P W Rommel, On Track Record. It's a national initiative that collates peoples positive contributions. Your employees will be engaged in an interesting way but also develop a 'track record' of their achievements on their web site. You can see it at: www.ontrackrecord.com Enjoy.
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#14 Posted : 23 September 2009 10:31:00(UTC)
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Posted By Rommel Thanks you very much folks for all the feed back, it is greatly appreciated.
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