Safety is a requirement on work sites. Steel toe boots are mandatory when completing a concrete pour to protect feet, fall arrest systems are necessary to ensure that, in the event of a fall, workers remain safe. The use of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) and directives on how to safely complete a task (safe work procedures) are put in place to protect the workers.
But who’s responsibility is this?
The employee?
Yes.
The supervisor?
Yes.
As supervisors or members of management, it is your responsibility to ensure that your crew is working safely and adhering to safe work procedures.
This means that if an employee isn’t wearing a hard hat, and he/she gets hurt as a result from not wearing it, it could be your fault. Here are a few tips to keep your crew safe:
Talk About It
Conduct daily toolbox talks to remind your crews about relevant safety issues, hazards, and personal protective equipment
Lead by Example
Always wear your personal protective equipment and complete jobs safely, according to safe work procedures.
Take Safety Seriously
Make sure that your crew knows that safety is a priority for the team. Be consistent with the rules, enforce them as required to ensure that your crew is always working safely.
The Point
Everyone has the right to work in a safe working environment. As supervisors and members of management, it is our responsibility to ensure that our teams are adhering to all safety regulations.
I like the inference that everyone is responsible for Safety. Both management and supervision were mentioned. I suppose they were mentioned because this posting’s subject is about how Safety at the upper levels should be realized. My concern about that is if this post is taken out of context. It could be argued that safety it their responsibility alone. The truth is Safety is everybody’s responsibility, management, supervision and workers (and not just the worker doing the task)