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MARCH
Something to think
about
In US workplaces
today, many of the obvious hazards have been reduced or eliminated. Time
lost due to workplace injuries dropped 54.9 % between 1991 and 2008.
Many feel improvements are beginning to stall. In 2007 5600 people were
killed on the job and more than 4 million were injured. The estimated
cost of these injuries was more than $48.6 billion. The majority of
gains in workplace safety have been due to improvements in equipment,
policies, systems and training. Typically these formal tools fail to
address cultural changes. In an effort to identify workplace threats
that could be easily solved but continue on and may be due to cultural
norms, surveys and interviews were conducted with more than 1500
employees from 20 or more firms. EHS research indicates that in many
instances someone is aware of the threat well in advance, but is either
unwilling or unable to speak up. While conducting the survey, there were
5 conversations that drew the most attention.
1. Get it done.
Unsafe practices that are justified by tight timelines.
2. Lack of
skills. Unsafe practices that stem from skill deficits that can't be
discussed.
3. Just this
once. Unsafe practices that are justified because they are exceptions to
the rule.
4. This is
overboard. Unsafe practices that bypass precautions management or
workers consider excessive.
5. Are you a
team player? Unsafe practices that are justified for the good of the
team, company or customer.
93% of those surveyed
say their group is at risk from one or more of the above 5 items.
Get it done-78%
of employees said they see co-workers take unsafe shortcuts. 19% can
site an injury or death caused by a shortcut. 75% believes these common
and risky shortcuts cannot be discussed with co-workers.
Lack of skills -
65% of employees said they see co-workers
create unsafe conditions. 18 percent can cite an injury or death caused
by this problem. Only 26 % say they have some type of recourse.
Just this once -
55% of employees said their co-workers make take shortcuts to try to
correct mistakes.
Only 1 in 4
employees was willing to share his concerns with the employee taking the
risk.
This is overboard - 66%
of employees said their co-workers ignore new safety rules or
procedures. 22% can cite an injury or death caused by these violations.
Are you a team
player? - 63% of employees said their
co-workers violate safety precautions for the good of the team, company
or customer. 17% can cite an injury or death caused by these violations.
28% of employees
say they are willing to share his concerns with the employee taking the
risk.
Next month we
will talk about recommendations the Company can adopt to help change and
improve a safety culture.
(This
survey was published in EHS today)
In Solidarity,
Rolf Laurin
Safety & Health Chair Local 338
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