How can you build a culture of safety when under tight deadlines?

When the going gets tough the tough get going. We should follow the slogan-"Do it Safely or not at all" Supervisors should remain at site all the time while work is in progress. Share daily progress report with the management/concerned persons. Every Management wants a incident free workplace & justified time is always given to perform the job in safe manner. There are the middle managers who tries to squeeze the time lines for their own sake, sometimes a safety man has to diplomatically with such creatures. So, Just do it.....Safely.

Communication is Key ???: Foster an open environment where team members feel comfortable expressing concerns or reporting issues without fear of repercussions. Encourage regular check-ins to discuss progress and address any safety-related matters. Prioritize Well-being ??: Acknowledge the importance of work-life balance. Encourage breaks, set realistic expectations, and provide resources for managing stress. A healthy team is a productive team!

To nourish and develop the safety culture, It should start with the highest leadership of an organization. They shall set an example and lead from the front by involving themselves at Gemba in training, and meetings, walk around for an inspection, and be visible to down-the-line management. Appearance matters a lot. Actions should speak louder than words on papers or in a conference meeting. Secondary, key things on implementation of robust HSEMS and its adherence then prepare proactive plans, empower teams to take action on non-compliance and appreaciate them for follwoing good practices.

Training and Resources ??: Ensure that your team is well-equipped with the necessary skills and resources to perform their tasks safely and efficiently. Regular training sessions can reinforce safety protocols. Celebrate Small Wins ??: Recognize and celebrate achievements, no matter how small. Positive reinforcement boosts morale and creates a sense of accomplishment.

Celebrating and rewarding positive safety behavior not only motivates individuals but also reinforces the importance of safety across the entire organization. It creates a positive feedback loop, encouraging a proactive approach to safety and fostering a culture where everyone actively contributes to maintaining a safe workplace.

‘Culture’ is traditionally defined as “A shared set of beliefs, norms and practices, documented and communicated through a common language”. The key word here is Shared. It’s widely believed that if health & safety values are not consistently and constantly shared at all levels of management and among employees, any gains that result from declaring health & safety excellence a priority are likely to be short lived. If worker believe that Mgmt. values productivity over H&S, they may try to ‘work around’ a hazard and knowingly increase the risk of an accident. But if he believes that Mgmt. will often rectify hazardous conditions, he will support initiatives to improve H&S. When everyone in the company feels this, it becomes a culture.

Continuous Improvement ??: Establish a feedback loop for continuous improvement. Learn from experiences, both positive and negative, and use them to refine safety processes for future projects. Remember, safety and productivity can go hand in hand with the right approach and mindset! ?? #SafetyFirst #TeamCulture #WorkplaceWellness

Building a culture of safety amidst tight deadlines requires a dual focus on efficiency and well-being. Prioritise essential safety practices, integrate them seamlessly into workflows, and provide quick, targeted training. Lead by example, encourage open communication, and recognise safe behaviour. Empower safety champions, conduct brief safety checks, and learn from near misses. By emphasising the non-negotiable nature of safety and providing necessary resources, a strong safety culture can thrive even in fast-paced environments.