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| Behavior Based Safety by Rory S. McLaren There is much ado around safety circles about "behavior-based safety." However, what is "behavior-based safety"? According to the experts it is to get the "workers" themselves actively involved in the safety process, and to analyze why people have/adopt at-risk behaviors. First, the minute a safety person or a white-collar person refers to a colleague as a worker, the seed of discrimination is planted - a transparent, but profoundly damaging barrier is placed between the "clean" people and the "dirty" people. Hence the terms "white collar worker" and "blue collar worker." Aren't white collar people also "working." As far as I am concerned, the very first step in mending "behaviors" is to treat all workers "clean" or "dirty" as equals. Next, look at the respective venues "clean" people and "dirty" people go to to learn about this business called behavior-based safety. Safety, after all is the business of protecting people from hurt or injury - it is a business of caring deeply and sincerely for people! The "clean" people sit around an oak table, in recliners, sipping on hot coffee or chocolate as they rock back and forth. Freshly squeezed orange juice and an assortment of baked goods that rivals a child's birthday party are catered-in for the event. The chatter and laughter is from time to time broken by the din of the air conditioner as it optimizes the temperature in the room. |
This is all done to create a positive attitude and adopt a positive behavior.
The "dirty" people go to the coffee trough and stand in-line. They generally sit around a foldout table, alongside their "dirty" lunch boxes. The chairs they sit on are designed to discourage comfort and exacerbate the constant pain "dirty" people endure as a result of the years of leaning, sitting, standing, bending, twisting, lifting, and doing whatever it takes to keep the wheels of productivity turning. The "clean" safety person begins his/her lecture on behavior-based safety and how a positive behavior will enhance safety. This as the "students of safety" yawn, and from time to time bow their heads and doze off momentarily. The lecture is about how to be safe in an area the safety person has never been in or near because its too dirty. It's about wearing safety glasses from a person who has never worn safety glasses outside of the company There are many caring and dedicated safety people in corporate America. However, the success of a behavior-based safety program can be measured in direct proportion to the behavior of the people who teach behaviors! Let's call everyone "clean" or "dirty" our colleagues. Let's also never forget the fact that the term "professional" describes jobs other than accountants, managers, engineers, and lawyers. It is equally as fitting for diesel mechanics, welders, carpenters, carpet installers, millwrights, truck-drivers, etc. Your comments are welcome. |