Safety Titles, Which are You??

A tongue in cheek look at the different classifications that we and the workers we serve put ourselves into in the Safety Profession. All of us fall into most of these at some point in our careers. What’s important is being able to see ourselves as others see us, and knowing what the real messages are that we are giving.

SAFETY MAN: The traditional title. Best attributes are having great war stories and recognized for being a ready source for hard hat stickers with the latest Safety Slogan on them. Most wanted on the job site when they are giving out Safety Ball Caps and T Shirts.

SAFETY POLICE: The enforcers also known as the “Safety Cant’s.” Will often walk around the job site with a “ticket book,” fully ready to pounce on violators. In depth knowledge of the rules to the point of being able to cite any specific rule violated on demand.  Most wanted on the job site, NEVER, productivity killers. 

SAFETY CAN’T:  (See Safety Police) The Safety Person who can walk around all day telling you everything you CAN’T do, but can never seem to find ways that you can get the job done, Safely.  Most wanted on the job site, whenever workers are looking for excuses to be non-productive. 

DEGREED SAFETY PROFESSIONAL: The Safety Engineer who’s answer to every question starts with the affirmation “well I’m a Degreed Safety Professional and…”  Will tend to talk themselves into circles and never quite seem to come up with solutions, but will always “get back to you on that.”  Most wanted on the job site whenever workers will need someone to blame for a job that they know will not meet financial expectations. 

SAFETY CAN: The Safety Person with a “can” attitude. They are “Positive Enablers of Safe Operations” and integrate into the job site well. They see themselves as part of the team, who are there to ensure that we get the job done, Safely, without compromise. Most wanted on the job site, ALWAYS. 

SAFETY PRACTITIONER: (see Safety Can) A Safety Person with the right combination of Education, Training, Integrity, and Personality to put it all together in being that "Positive Enabler of Safe Operations." A key person to have on your team if your group is working towards World Class. Knows and can apply both the Physics and Psychology of Safety. Comfortable in discussing the company safety performance AND bottom line.  Most wanted equally on the job site, the office, and in the board room as they get results the right way. What we should all aspire to be.

In closing, it’s important for each of us to understand how we appear to the workers at risk that are trying to help. In general we need to know what we are going to say, before we say it. While announcing that we are “Degreed Safety Professionals” may sound nice in peer groups, how do you think that this is really perceived when dealing with workers at risk?

As always, before we can understand anyone else, we have to understand ourselves.

How are you perceived by the workers you deal with?