Serious Problems Need Serious Solutions!
Clayton Kruger
Founder | Safety Consulting Group. Strategies, Systems and People. Eliminating the complexities within safety today and revolutionising safety recruitment using our peer evaluation model. ?
Has the Safety Profession Lost Its Way?
Recent poll results have sent a clear message: two-thirds of voters believe that the safety profession is losing its way, its core purpose diluted and often confusing. This is not just a conversation starter either, it’s a call to action for those of us who care deeply about the future of safety and what it is, we ACTUALLY DO.
One glaring issue is the sheer breadth of roles, responsibilities, and even titles assigned to safety professionals today. Some organisations go so far as to lump safety together with environment, quality, or even security. While efficiency may be the goal, it raises an unsettling question:
How important IS safety to most organisations today?
This isn’t a rhetorical question. It challenges leadership to reflect on their values and priorities. When safety is treated as an afterthought, or as a dumping ground for unrelated responsibilities, it’s no surprise that its effectiveness wanes and its focus is clouded. Or, are we being grossly unfair here?
Could it be that "we" have built safety into this behemoth of rules, rhetoric, complexity and responsibility, that business leaders simply cannot do ALL, that's required or demanded, so they just keep their fingers crossed that nothing goes wrong?
And let's face facts here, regulators don't help a great deal either, do they? Ruling by fear, no support or guidance, raising fines, penalties, and consequences, NO wonder business leaders today, are so hell-bent on getting 'compliance' right, rather than meaningful safety strategies, what choice do they have? This can also be seen in the new psych safety laws. We have NOT set leaders up to succeed.
A Profession at a Crossroads
Recent discussions around the safety profession have been amazing, robust and thought-provoking. Many have shared experiences highlighting the profession’s successes, challenges, and failures. The overarching sentiment is clear: 'safety' needs a reset or a refocus.
At its core, safety was never meant to be about compliance checkboxes, chasing accolades, or endless policy reviews. Its essence lies in protecting people, whilst enabling productivity and fostering trust. Somewhere along the way, that mission seems to have been buried under layers of bureaucracy, misplaced priorities and if I may say so, BS!
Why This Matters
The fact that 66% of voters agree safety has lost its way should open some eyes, and yes, maybe ruffle some feathers, but if that's what's needed, BRING IT ON! But that’s the point. If we don’t challenge the status quo, how will we EVER create the changes that are needed?
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This isn’t about semantics or excuses—it’s about priorities. Do you see safety as integral to your success, or is it just another line item in the budget?
JOIN THIS CONVERSATION
To those who voted “Yes,” we need to understand:
What led you to this conclusion? What changes do you think are necessary to bring safety back to its core purpose?
To those who voted “No,” we’re equally interested in your perspective:
What’s working in your organisation? How can those successes be replicated across the industry?
Your insights and experiences matter—they have the power to ignite the changes we so desperately need.
The poll results are just the beginning. Let’s keep this conversation going. Let's continue to challenge, innovate, and push the safety profession toward a future where it’s relevant and meaningful!
Principal Advisor - Asset Risk & Assurance (Rio Tinto Asset Management)
1 周Eerie Voice talking... "When Safety becomes an erosion of control to itself. Welcome to another episode of the Safety Twilight Zone. Beware all ye who enter here,you may not get out alive." ?? Nice post Clayton Kruger ! ????
Environmental Health & Industrial Safety Expert
1 个月Safety (EHS) is a very challenging profession. There are tons of stories of Safety Managers doing their jobs, calling out safety hazards, and getting retaliated against. This is more common than people let on. DOCUMENT EVERYTHING!
Director at Ray Wyld Safety Link Pty Ltd
1 个月to do any Task Safely 24 hours /day will be achieved only if prior to any Task the group can agree that all Hazards are controlled.. Look what happened to the JSA when Safety People got hold of the Process and tried to impress by getting everything that may happen written down. No wonder the workers lost interest in the tool which was to be simple and give them a process for one last Look for any NEW Hazards. How would your observations be if the team decided all Hazards are controlled and the task will be done as per the procedure. Would they trust them without paperwork and have a verbal comment. Still no need for a safety Person as doing tasks is not their job.
Director at Ray Wyld Safety Link Pty Ltd
1 个月can I suggest that we try and eat this elephant one small step at a time. Debate about where Safety Fits in the Day to day work and who is responsible.? If the Company states Safety is No 1 then a plan of how to achieve is Required. Who is the key person who answers for all initiatives on how to do any task without Hurt. Who is responsible if there is any HURT ? and who looks at Learnings and Preventions ? team lead is influencing the outcome which is his job and not being forced to Manage the Outcome we will again reduce the need for Safety People. There is an answer to this in the fact that we should NEVER start a job unless there is agreement on how we can achieve that knowing and Managing all hazards. This environment has no place for Crap happens tales. Happy to share the chart of how to do wor5k Safely if you wish. Doesn't require a Safety Man unless requested by Management. It is their job.
MSc, CMIOSH, MIIRSM, PG Cert, NEBOSH
1 个月One of the best LI safety debates I've read for a while. Some great points raised from some hands on committed pros. If only we had that 'real time' virtual table to sit round.