The Perfect Safety Professional?
I was recently asked to assist in putting together a list of the qualities that the “Perfect” Safety Professional should posses. this was my response:
The more I think about it the more I think that it may be wrong to use the word “Perfect”. If that is the goal then it would be an endless list and you would have to preface your paper with a disclaimer that whilst an admirable goal, it is unlikely to ever be reached. Indeed, someone who is close to perfect in one particular scenario may be totally useless in another. One thing that is for sure is that anyone who thinks they are perfect is definitely far from it.
Should we strive to be perfect? Is it not our imperfections that create a big chunk of our character, makes us real and presents us with daily challenges to find ways of improving ourselves or is that the aim of your paper – to provide a list of challenges and opportunities to improve? If we were perfect then how would those around us perceive us? As soon as we are perfect then we lose some of the critical traits of perfection – empathy for others and the respect of others?
If you want my opinion on stuff that makes a “good” Safety Professional, my top 6 would be:
- Practical experience – NOT just in safety but as a worker AND a manager – a snotty nosed kid straight out of safety school will have no idea what it means to work for a living or make good decisions under pressure based on numerous and sometimes conflicting criteria and expectations
- Recognition that the whole world doesn’t revolve around safety – it is NOT No1 priority, never has been and never will be, despite how much we tout it or its big brother “Zero Harm”. The workers can see right thru those throw away slogans. Safety is one of the critical business elements which include quality, profit etc etc and all are interdependent and must not ever be considered in isolation because none survive or thrive on their own
- Be humble and recognise that the people doing the job know more about it than you and must be consulted, respected and recognised for their opinions
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Be creative, don’t wheel out the same old crap and give it a new TLA, you cannot polish a turd. Think outside the square and challenge everything, if you are wrong, bad luck, at least you learnt something and have made those who are right think about and show stronger conviction for their cause. Welcome sensible debate and other opinions
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Don’t be driven by legislation – our US friends seem to use OSHA as the bible and can’t cope if it isn’t prescribed. Do your risk management right, use stds/legislation as a guide and you will automatically comply or even exceed the legislation and sustain improvement
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Live by the 80/20 rule. Focus on the needs of the majority rather than the vocal minority. Spend your time on important things. If its 80% there give it a go, don’t spend forever fine tuning or getting it “perfect” because it never will be until you do it and tweek it. Focus on the 20% that will solve 80% of your problems. Spend your time with people who want to be helped and appreciate what you do. Hang out with winners and avoid the losers.
The paper has now been changed to “The Qualities of an Excellent Safety Professional” – we’ll publish it here when it is finished.
Do you have any thoughts? Please share them below