June 2009 Safety Message

In large part safety is managed through conversation. The success of safety management is determined by the effectiveness of interpersonal communication. This usually starts by listening proactively to understand the other person’s situation before giving direction, advice, or support. The following is a safety conversation check list that we need to develop into our culture;

• Listen with open ears and respond accordingly
• Key in on the positive based actions
• Look for feedback
• Have others tell you how they should work to be safe
• Ask questions that demonstrate you care
• You may not have the answer so ask as though you do not know
• Always look to the future for positive improvements
• Bring the conversation to the present, right here, right now
• Always look for a verbal handshake to follow the plan
• Set the tone and leave an impression by planting the right words

We need to look at the types of conversations we have in our workplaces in order to design the type of safety culture we are looking for. After conversation, we must match our words through our actions.

Through communication we can all be facilitators for beneficial change in our safety culture. If you communicate to others your increased commitment to effective safety conversations and you tell yourself nothing exists unless it is in conversation, then you can help to achieve a Total Safety Culture.

So, if we want to bring in a new safety culture, one that will bring us to our ultimate goal of zero harm, you need to ask yourself “What type of conversation am I having in our workplace” and am I bringing this new culture into existence with my workplace conversation.

Eric Kohtakangas
VP Operations
Cementation Canada Inc.