The Safety Catalyst: Handling Stubborn Safety Problems

Making a safety program work ...

"Will Rogers contended, "The secret of success is simple. If you're in a hole, quit digging." This seems like common sense, but I've seen many leaders who, when frustrated, resort to pulling out a shovel – either handtool or bulldozer – and then redoubling their digging efforts. These are otherwise intelligent people in a wide range of professions, but they continue to expend precious resources and risk losing credibility by this try-harder-the-same-way excavating.

We as safety professionals aren't exempt. Have you seen this: Workers don't change their actions? Tell them again (with a why-didn't-you-listen undertone). Policies and procedures not followed? Write additional (and more detailed) rules. Training didn't change their behavior? Put them through the same training again and again (until they "get it").

It seems that when their people don't act in hoped-for manners, many leaders default toward becoming more rigid, forceful, negative and blaming. Ironically, these are the polar opposite responses of the strongest leaders I've encountered. When things don't go their way, master leaders are relaxed and vigilant. If their first action doesn't get the job done, then they flexibly shift to a different tack."   continued ...   (Via Occupational Hazards)

Will Rogers.

Key Elements in Ergonomics Training

The critical success factors for making an ergonomics training program effective ...

"Do you know the order in which to train employee groups on ergonomics? It's one of many planning elements that can make or break an ergonomics training program.

Training is a critical element of a successful occupational ergonomics program. Learning opportunities provide people with the means necessary to complete the steps of the ergonomics improvement process. These key steps include identifying risk, reducing risk, verifying risk reduction, managing injuries and maintaining program sustainability.

Training is critical, especially since it can be one of the biggest investments a company makes in its ergonomics agenda. Therefore, it must be well-planned, focused and coordinated. This article describes critical elements for success with the training portion of your ergonomics process, and explains the reason for training, whom to train and in what order and the content of each level of training."   continued ...   (Via Occupational Hazards)

Ergonomics Training.