One of the discussions we have frequently at Safety Leadership courses is about the impossibility of supervisors to be permanently present to supervise the way operators work and ensure that everyone returns home healthy. Occupational safety in companies that have extensive production areas … [Read more...] about About STOP WORK AUTHORITY (SWA)
Safety Leadership
The Gemba Safety Walk
The Gemba Safety Walk – Is it a Silly Walk? Tried and failed or just gotten a tad bored with Zero Harm, BBS and MBWA? It seems the latest silver bullet being peddled by a few Snake Oil Salesmen is the “Safety Gemba Walk”. I’ve only just discovered this trendy new safety concept and still trying to … [Read more...] about The Gemba Safety Walk
King of the World – Why is Sociopathy and Psychopathy so prevalent ‘at the top’?
Psychopaths will thrive in an organisation that is seeking to control their people. Where the culture of a workplace, or group, allow psychopaths to manipulate and denigrate others without consequence, they will succeed in achieving their own needs and goals without care at all for others … [Read more...] about King of the World – Why is Sociopathy and Psychopathy so prevalent ‘at the top’?
SELLING SAFETY TO YOUR GM
I recently had a conversation with a HSE Manager about how an intervention like our SAFETY LEADERSHIP training program can help their people. I understood for the hundredth time how difficult it is for a safety person to convince his General Manager of the usefulness of the safety … [Read more...] about SELLING SAFETY TO YOUR GM
Prepositions for Risk and Safety Leadership
Why not do some observing this week and see what are the most popular words spoken and written in your organisation. The way we prime and frame organizational discourse shapes the culture and focus on safety. When I am first introduced to an organisation I like to explore their cultural artifacts … [Read more...] about Prepositions for Risk and Safety Leadership
Proving Safety
Read a review of Greg's latest book "Proving Safety" One of the best safety articles I've read on Linkedin in a long, long time. By Greg Smith (Author of "Papersafe" - https://amzn.to/3wNDPTv ) Proving Safety Here is an interesting question. What would safety management look like in your … [Read more...] about Proving Safety
7 Traits of a Safety-Focused Safety Leader – NOT!
Even when Safety attempts to discuss humanizing it does so through the lens of Technique (Ellul). The focus is rarely on persons but rather the safety program and safety outcomes. What a shame that when Safety endeavours to do something it can’t imagine outside of its own safety box! A good … [Read more...] about 7 Traits of a Safety-Focused Safety Leader – NOT!
How We Make Decisions About Risk
How We Make Decisions About Risk Most leaders are not young, it takes time and experience to develop leadership. When we look at how leaders make decisions we observe that their decisions are not that rational. We often think that leaders weigh up all the pros and the cons, consciously analyse the … [Read more...] about How We Make Decisions About Risk
Top 10 Simple Things You Can Do To Dramatically Improve Safety
Top 10 Simple Things You Can Do To Dramatically Improve Safety (you will probably not find many of these in text books or regulations) The most common feedback I get on this blog is something like: “all this theory is great but what can I do to apply it”. I know Safety loves simplicity and plug … [Read more...] about Top 10 Simple Things You Can Do To Dramatically Improve Safety
Leaders in Safety are NOT Gurus
Guru originates in Sanskrit (Hindi and Punjabi) and refers to a wise elder, mentor or guide (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guru ). Yet the word is thrown about safety as if the word means ‘hero’ or ‘superstar’. One of this things Safety is so sloppy with is language. It thinks it can spruik any … [Read more...] about Leaders in Safety are NOT Gurus