Safety – its more than just Compliance
Thanks DC for your assistance
Safety begins with Compliance! However, Compliance alone does not guarantee worker safety. The question we need to ask ourselves is: ‘Are we so focused on compliance that we forget about Safety?’
Let’s take a look at the definitions…
Compliance – acting according to certain accepted standards; to conform, submit, or adapt as required or requested; conformity in fulfilling official requirements. Source.
Safety – the condition or state of being safe; freedom from danger or hazard; exemption from hurt, injury, or loss. Source.
Integrity – possession of firm principles; the quality of possessing and steadfastly adhering to high moral principles or professional standards. Source.
The difference between Compliance and Safety
Compliant but not safe – A worker is on a step ladder 8’ off the ground in a warehouse where large electrical motors are stored. She is facing the 12’ stepladder with her belt buckle between the rails, and she is maintaining 3-points of contact as she feeds cable through the overhead conduit. She is not tied off because there is no approved anchor point close by. Is she in compliance with OSHA? Yes! Is she Safe? No – there is a fall hazard present and she could suffer injury should she fall, especially if she hits one of the motors staged on the floor. She could have a co-worker steady the ladder or move some of the motors to reduce the risk!
Safe but not compliant – Employee conducts pre-trip equipment inspection on his 988 loader – everything is in working order. He fails to document the inspection in writing.
Is it possible to achieve compliance without integrity? Yes, as it is self-motivating and will help avoid citations!
However without integrity true safety – Safety excellence requires Integrity
A compliant worker simply complies with the law, while a safe worker understands the intent of the law and surpasses it when the law fails to offer adequate protection. The safe worker accepts the responsibility for his or her own safety!
Remember Federal and State Health and Safety Regulations are baseline programs. Employers and employees alike are required to comply with the basic elements of these programs. But, since the regulations are simply a beginning, we are in trouble… if all we do is meet these baseline expectations. Each one of us must take responsibility for our own safety and the safety of our co-workers. We must hold each other accountable if we want to achieve our goal of Zero Injuries.
Ask yourself, why you are working in the first place! Most of us work to provide a better life for our families and ourselves. You cannot do that if you suffer a permanent injury on the job. And, if you should die on the job, your family will never recover. On a Friday in May 1974 my father was killed accidently by a co-worker – a new hire with only a few weeks experience. On that day many lives were forever changed – the lives of the co-worker and his family; the lives of the supervisor and his family, the lives of the other co-workers, the lives of my mother, grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins, family friends; etc., etc. My brother, sister and I also saw our lives change in the blink of an eye. Believe me when I say I wouldn’t wish that on anybody. Keep your head in the game – consider the consequences of your actions, have the courage to do the right thing every time, make time to identify and mitigate the risks – go beyond compliance and strive for excellence.
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Compliance + Integrity = Safety Excellence!
Thanks for the share, WK!
