CONTINUE WORKING SAFELY ALWAYS!

A Total Safety Culture requires continual attention to three type of factors. It all addes up to a safer
workplace for you and me. E. Scott Geller highlights those factors and other keys to creating continuous
safety performance improvement in his recently published book called Working Safely. Dr. Geller, of the
Virginia Polytechic Institute and State University, is one of the leading industrial safety applied behavioral
systems experts in the world today. His research and practical application of proven techniques for
preventing accidents and creating safe behaviors are generating ongoing safety performance improvement
through employees working more safely, more of the time. Dr. Gellers methods help people actively care
for health and safety consistently.
Several of our Toolbox Discussions over the last 12 months have included the ideas and proven methods
that Scott Geller advocates for helping to enhance a Total Safety Culture that helps to provide a safer
workplace for us all. The three factors that require continual attention for generating ongoing safety
performance improvement include:
1.

PERSON Factors Knowledge, skills, abilities, intelligence, motives, personality.

2.

ENVIRONMENT Factors- Equipment, tools, machines, housekeeping, heat/cold, engineering,

standards, operating procedures.

3.

BEHAVIOR Factors- Complying, coaching, recognizing, communicating, demonstrating actively

caring.
The previously mentioned factors are dynamic and interactive. Changes in any factor area eventually
impact the other two. The psychology of injury prevention is dependent upon all three factors.

Its human nature to shift priorities, according to situational demands or contingencies. But values remain
constant. Safe work practices should occur regardless of the demands of the particular day. Safety should
be value linked with every activity or priority in a work routine. Safe work should be the enduring norm,
whether the current focus is on quantity, quality, or cost effectiveness as the number one priority. Safety
always needs to be consistently valued by all of us.
The ultimate aim of a Total Safety Culture is to make safety an integral aspect of all performance. Safety
needs to be more than the behaviors of using the proper personal protective equipment, more than properly
performing switching and tagging, and more than good housekeeping and orderliness practices. Safety
should be an unwritten rule, a social norm, that workers follow regardless of the situation. It should be a
value that is never questionednever compromised.
Your safety achievement process should be considered a personal and company responsibility, not a
regulatory obligation. It should be achievement oriented with a focus on behavior, supported by all
managers, supervisors, and driven by all workers through safe teamwork. Looking out for yourself and
coworkers is a big part of generating success, which adds up to working safely. Consistently using job
briefings also makes for the right approach up front. It takes leaders at all levels championing the cause.
This approach leads to a fact finding perspective, a true proactive stance, and a commitment to continuous
safety performance improvement. It creates and enhances the proper attitudes, values and beliefs about the
process of working safely.
Your safety depends upon using safe methods consistently. Risky behavior has no place in a proactive safe
work environment. We need to understand that the perceptions of risk vary dramatically among individuals.
We cant improve safety unless people increase their perception of, and reduce their tolerance for, at risk
behavior. The target should be increasing safe behaviors ! More people will actively participate with a
positive attitude and remain committed over time if there is more recognition of achievements than
corrections of failures. We all can play a vital role in recognizing the safe practices of coworkers.

Safety coaching is a key intervention process for developing and maintaining a Total Safety Culture.
Remember that we all benefit from everyone working more safely consistently. Perform safety coaching
always using a positive spirit approach. Demonstrate a caring positive attitude when correcting at risk
behaviors. Also dont be afraid to congratulate coworkers when they have accomplished a job safely. Doing
the right things, and doing the right things properly add up to success for everyone. Recognize that there
are times when we all want credit for our performance. Why not be a part of that process ?
Continue to be part of the solution, not part of the problem. Whatever your job, you can be a leader at all
levels for workplace safety. You will achieve the level of safety performance you demonstrate that you
want. The safety example that you set potentially influences and impacts everyone at your work site and
beyond.
Continuous safety performance improvement also depends upon three support processes. Those processes
include: Leadership, Recognition, and Communication.

Leaders communicate effectively.

Leaders recognize desired performance.
Recognition is communicated effectively.
Leaders recognize desired performance effectively through a number of channels.

Most successful leaders demonstrate energy, desire, passion, enthusiasm, and a constant ambition to
achieve improved safety performance. Effective leaders are open and trustworthy, self-confident,
motivated, demonstrate good thinking skills, and possess leadership qualities that help bring out the best in
others. They communicate in a manner that sells safety!
All employees potentially can be effective leaders for safety. Safety is learned, not job issued. Safety is not
a static condition. Whether you are new to the job or a veteran with years of experience, your attitude about
safety and the safe behaviors that you use will help keep you and coworkers safe and injury free.
Remember that new hazards are cropping up all the time. Unless you stay on your toes and recognize them,
you are setting yourself and your crew up for the risk of having an accident. Remember to use job briefings
and include discussing:

Hazards associated with the job.

Work procedures involved.
Special precautions.
Hazardous Energy Control (LOTO).
Personal protective equipment necessary.
Tools and equipment necessary to safely perform the job, and ensure up front that they are in safe
working condition for use.

Continually analyze, evaluate and adjust current work practices to reflect new safety and health
circumstances and challenges. You and your coworkers play a significant role in always working safely.
TAKE 2 FOR SAFETY AND ALWAYS USE PROPER PRECAUTIONS AND SAFE PRACTICES !