Health and Safety… What is it worth to you?

Safety is not something you can do once in a while, it’s what you do day in and day out that makes a difference. For safety is not a destination. It is a way of life.

Your example, the thing you do day in and day out, is a main contributor in influencing others. In fact, it may be the only thing.

I just facilitated a Health and Safety meeting that commenced with this question: ‘Health and Safety… What is it worth to you?’ A question everyone should ponder. During the meeting, I used the Return-of-Experience (REX) system to alert attendees of experiences which have already occurred. I am always saddened to hear of accidents. They have such ripple effects. We hear terms associated with accidents like ’Temporary Medical Treatment’, ‘Semi-Permanent Lost Time Injury’ and ‘Fatality’ or ‘Multiple Fatalities’. The progression in terms also relays the progression in devastation to the employees, their families, their friends and their colleagues.

We teach not to be discouraged by a failure. It is very difficult to hold this position with respect to Health and Safety. The failure must lead us to success. The discovery of what failed leads us to seek intently after errors or omissions, so that in future we shall carefully avoid them.

“An accident is not just one of those things. Accidents are predictable and preventable events. And they don’t have to happen.”

The Group Management Board has requested everyone to reflect. Think about accidents, talk to others about them and learn from them. Taking the lessons learned and applying them will make a difference. We can then utilize prevention to assist in our work execution.

We can be successful and we can transform tomorrow!

Author: Tony Newport, ArcelorMittal Dofasco