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| Reader Panel: Leadership |
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“Actions — not platitudes and pronouncements.” — This is how one reader defines safety leadership in our latest Reader Panel survey.More than 150 safety practitioners responded to our new Reader Panel survey and many of them agree that leadership means, “walking the talk.”
One respondent believes that leaders “show the way and encourage others to follow. Walk the talk and be proactive in creating a safety culture. Looking ahead with prevention instead of reactions.”
We asked our readers to tell us who among their organization takes the most leadership role in promoting health and safety at the workplace. Close to 30 percent responded they consider themselves as leading the charge for safety. A close second, 28 percent, said top senior management has the greatest leadership responsibility in their organization.
In your organization, which among the following is taking the most leadership role in promoting workplace safety?
Top senior management 28.2%
Middle management, supervisors 18.6%
You 29.5%
Joint health and safety committee 16.0%
Union leaders 1.3%
Others 6.4%
“During rough economic times everyone has shown that they are more than willing to break safety rules time and time again in order to increase production. It has had a significant impact on our injury stats. We have just completed our worst year ever recorded for injuries,” writes one respondent.
Another comments, “Unfortunately, at this stage, I am the only one taking most leadership role in promoting workplace safety.”
“Senior management may be accountable but have delegated this responsibility lower to those who communicate with staff on a regular basis.”
Communication came out on top when readers were asked what they think safety leaders should do to improve safety in the workplace, with more than 70 percent saying that constantly communicating safety initiatives to employees is the most effective way.
One reader writes, “Accountability and enforcement are two things lacking at my workplace.”
Another respondent offers this thoughtful insight: “In this question, ‘leadership’ appears to be defined as the responsibility of the organization's safety staff person. A staff person's ability to influence and create meaningful change is in direct relation to his or her own personal credibility in that organization.”
Some respondents offered their own suggestions. “Include annual performance review of the safety performance/engagement/support of supervisors.”
“Communication is key but enforcement and accountability are crucial.”
“Less focus on measures of consequence (lagging or trailing indicators) and more weight to measures of control (leading indicators).”
What should safety leaders do to improve worker safety in your organization? (Please check all that apply)
Open up lines of communication 66.0%
More investments on safety devices, health programs, training, etc. 42.9%
Hire more safety professionals 13.5%
Be more visible to employees 53.8%
Constant communication with employees about safety initiatives 71.8%
Frequently attend JHSC meetings 38.5%
Promote internal responsibility system 63.5%
Establish or improve accountability system 63.5%
Establish or improve rewards program for safe work practices 22.4%
Increase frequency of safety inspections/audits 32.7%
Stricter enforcement of safety rules 53.8%
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