Safety Thoughts…

Today, I’m wondering about Elephant in the room , people behaving badly?

You see bad behaviour, ‘someone’ is not following the rules.?It’s clear that everyone should not walk into a zone where a machine is operating, but there’s this person who just does it anyway.?You know they always do it because, well they feel like they know better, they feel they are safe and no one has stopped them.?When the boss is looking they behave but the rest of the time… NAH!?Then you also see new people or visitors following their lead and also doing that unsafe thing.?But geez what to do…

Good people find it difficult to raise difficult subjects, especially if the person involved is thorny and they have been doing it for a long time. But now they are at risk and the problem is spreading.?Am I responsible if something bad happens??How would I feel if something bad happened??What if I had to help, do first aid and pick up the pieces??Am I responsible if something bad happens?

Sometimes good people need to be brave so how do we create a climate where the quiet ones will speak up?

You know you need to act and while it’s tough, you can have a Crucial Conversation. Raise the issue with them privately and without reaching agreement or immediate change, plant the seed of thought.?Raise the issue obtusely in a Toolbox Talk or Safety Meeting, not mentioning names but challenging the behaviour.?Stop Work and raise the concern right there and then.?

You might just find that there are a group of like-minded people who quietly agree but also didn’t want to say anything.?Convince others to stop work when they see the wrong thing and give the person feedback.?Before you know it you might have created a Safe Culture.