Question

As a manager, how would you make safety a priority in the workplace. What types of programs and initiatives would you embrace to create a culture of safety? How would you enforce?

Answer 1

Here are the program, initiatives, enforcement steps I would take as a manager to ensure that safety is a priority at the workplace:

• It is important for a manager to have an occupational health and safety program. This helps to prevent work-related injuries and diseases which can spread at the workplace.
• Inspection of the workplace - As a manager, I will make sure that all equipment is maintained and is safe to use. It is important to have all instructions well defined and employees trained on using such machines.
• Training of the employees - As a manager to create a culture of safety I will make sure that proper training is given to all the employees to make sure that the risk of potential injury is avoided.
• All the written instructions and work procedures are laid dowing ensuring safety will be ensured. It is important to check and supervise the team so that jobs are performed with care and safety.

Programs and Initiatives:

• To enforce and make safety an important priority in the workplace it is important to have an open dialogue - it is important to regularly meet the team and discuss health & safety issues.
• Steps like first aid training must be given to all staff members. Mock accident and emergency situation training should also be given.
• As a manager, it is important to investigate small accidents and ensure that steps are taken to avoid in future.
• The manager is also responsible for maintaining records of treatments, inspections, investigation and training objectives.

Enforcement Measures:

• It is important to wear body and eye protection wherever required on the job. Particles of metal, wood and other object have the potential of causing injuries.
• Ventilation is another important measure so that fumes and other gases can be released. It is important to be aware of the CO2 fumes in the workspace.
• As a manager the violence, stress-related incidents should be well noted.
• Sick employees and ones infected with diseases should be sent home and given rest.

As a manager to bring the culture of safety it is important to improve the safety measures and make it a key element of the business. It should never be a consequence but treated with equal importance as customer service, marketing, financial planning, etc.