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| Employees' Silence Leading to Workplace Injuries |
A survey of 1,600 frontline workers, managers and safety directors has found that the overwhelming majority believe their companies are at risk for injuries or death caused by one of five avoidable workplace dangers.
And 50 percent of those surveyed by VitalSmarts, a corporate training company, said they were aware of injuries or deaths caused by one of the five avoidable dangers. Yet only 25 percent of workers surveyed said they speak up and try to correct unsafe conditions.
The study, entitled Silent Danger: The Five Crucial Conversations that Drive Workplace Safety, identified these five threats:
1. Get it done: Unsafe practices that are justified by tight deadlines.
2. Undiscussable incompetence: Unsafe practices that stem from skill deficits that can't be discussed.
3. Just this once: Unsafe practices that are justified as exceptions to the rule.
4. This is overboard: Unsafe practices that bypass precautions considered excessive.
5. Are you a team player?: Unsafe practices that are justified for the good of the team, company or customer.
"Silent Danger shows the tragic secret behind most workplace injuries is that someone is aware of the threat well in advance, but is either unwilling or unable to speak up," says Joseph Grenny, leading study researcher and co-founder of VitalSmarts. "The greatest dangers to workplace safety are the norms, habits and assumptions embedded in our corporate cultures that stifle employees' ability to speak up and confront unsafe practices."
Between 25 to 28 percent of the survey respondents said they are able to speak up effectively at crucial moments to address unsafe conditions. And 82 percent of the vocal minority said speaking up has resulted in positive action and a safer workplace.
Grenny says his research shows that the missing ingredient for a safety culture is candor, adding, "When accountability is carefully and intentionally built into the culture, every employee is responsible for holding his or her peers accountable.
"Ensuring a critical mass of people are willing and able to speak up when safety lines are crossed, irrespective of who crosses them, is crucial to a safety culture."
Do your workers speak up about unsafe conditions or practices? Do they know they can and do they know who to speak to? Lead a Safety Talk with your crew this week on the important roles that communication, attitude and leadership play in a safe workplace.
Want to try SafetySmart? Sign up for a free 14-day trial now. |
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| During an emergency, seconds count. And trying to get out of a building such as this service center during a robbery or fire could take long extra seconds that one could not afford to spare, as a result of a blocked emergency exit. Locked or blocked exits continue to be a problem even though disastrous workplace fires throughout history should have taught people to know better. (Naval Safety Center) |
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| Company Honored for 10 Consecutive Years Without a Lost Workday |
It's a considerable achievement for a large company to go even one year without a lost workday injury or illness. Imagine going for 35 million work hours or 10 years without one!
The National Safety Council (NSC) has recognized AMECO Worldwide Operations, a unit of Fluor Corporation, for operating without a lost workday injury or illness since March 2001, calling AMECO "a great example of a company with safety ingrained in its corporate leadership and culture."
The NSC notes that in 2009, more than 5.1 million medically consulted injuries occurred in American workplaces, at an estimated cost of $168.9 billion. During that year some 55 million workdays were lost because of work injuries.
"We appreciate the recognition from the National Safety Council, given their leadership in the area of safety advocacy," said Gary Bernardez, president of AMECO. "Our global operations continue to perform at a high level, especially given the challenging geographies and sites where our employees work. Safety continues to be a key priority in the delivery of services to our clients."
AMECO delivers fully integrated equipment and tool solutions focused on operations fleet services, construction site services and equipment distribution.
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| Upcoming Events: |
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| Due Diligence: Defining, Establishing & Demonstrating Your Record of Compliance |
Oct 24th & 25th
Hyatt Regency, Toronto, ON |
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