Communicating for Safety Success

Transcription

1 Communicating for Safety Success March 23, 2006 Presented by Catherine Hebb BA, BPR, APR

2 Today s Presentation Quick quiz Guiding principles The five C s for effective communication The importance of teamwork Safety culture awareness test Wrap up

3 A quiz to get things started Accidents are often the result of improper employee behaviour. True or False

4 False Employee behaviour may be the cause you can see, but employee behaviour is usually determined by the importance management places on a safe and healthy workplace.

5 The best way to find out about hazards in your workplace is: a. conduct walk-about inspections b. read safety reports closely c. encourage employees to discuss their safety concerns

6 C Your employees know where the hazards are. They can describe dangerous jobs and close calls they have experienced. BUT if they feel discussion is not accepted, they may withhold information to protect themselves or colleagues.

7 Safety improvements are most likely to result from: a. a detailed accident report/investigation b. establishing the cause and determining where the blame sits c. communicating with employees to determine hazards and embark on continuous improvement

8 C While we need to do accident inspections, this is a time when employees may keep quiet to protect themselves or a colleague. This is the most difficult time to look for ways to improve. Ongoing communication is your best bet.

9 You re a supervisor. You warn an employee about a hazard and the employee still gets hurt by the hazard. It is the employee s fault. True or False

10 False and here s why...

11 People retain how much of what you say? a. 10% b. 20% c. 30% d. 50% e. 70% f. 90%

12 People retain how much of what they read? a. 10% b. 20% c. 30% d. 50% e. 70% f. 90%

13 If you explain something to an employee and draw a picture to go with it, how much will he retain? a. 10% b. 20% c. 30% d. 50% e. 70% f. 90%

14 If a person does something and explains to you how he did it, how much will he retain? a. 10% b. 20% c. 30% d. 50% e. 70% f. 90%

15 Guiding Principles 1. Effective communication increases motivation People need to feel connected. People need to feel important by taking the time to tell me something, it shows you value me.

16 Guiding Principles cont d 2. The more levels communication goes through, the more distorted it becomes. People put their own interpretation on it. People may have their own agendas. People are pressed for time and may give half the message unintentionally.

17 Guiding Principles cont d 3. Communication that appeals to feelings and attitudes is more motivational than that which appeals to only logic. People are motivated based on emotional impact How will it make me feel? How will it impact my life? How will it make things better?

18 Guiding Principles cont d 4. The sooner and more often people put an idea into action, the better it is retained. Just in time communication. Repetition repetition repetition repetition. Don t just tell me, let me try it.

19 The 5 C s for Effective Safety Communication Clear Consistent Compelling Collaborative Cultural

20 1st C: Clear Communication Channel Sender Encode Message Decode Receiver

21 1st C: Clear Communication is simply what we do to give and get understanding.

22 1st C: Clear The ordinary human being would like to receive simple and intelligent instruction in what he is expected to do, how it can be done and what constitutes a job well done. Lawrence Appley, Former President American Management Association

23 1st C: Clear Tips for Clear Communication When using an acronym, spell it out the first time every time, even if they know what it means win-win on the same boundarylessness synergistic page outside the box thinking world-class Stay away from jargon

24 1st C: Clear Tips for Clear Communication Use percentages and numbers when necessary Tell a story and make a point No big words use vs. utilize

25 Be specific 1st C: Clear Tips for Clear Communication Good job, Jerry Be sure to use the forms. Good job tying the top of the ladder, Jerry. It will help make sure you don t fall. Use the check list every time. It will allow you to set up the site so it s safe for everyone.

26 2nd C: Consistent between all departments coordinated planned communications visual presence around the work place not just a memo

27 2nd C: Consistent safety and communications are not stand alone functions they require the attention and input of everyone in the organization

28 3rd C: Compelling Action I work safely. I d like to sit on the OHS Committee. Desire Interest Awareness I want to work safely. What does this mean for me? We have a safety program.

29 4th C: Collaborative one is too small a number to achieve greatness collaborate for better ways to do things get employees involved in evaluating current state and setting clear objectives get employees involved as safety ambassadors

30 4th C: Collaborative Building effective teams Some assembly required... have broad representation from all levels, all locations have a catalyst who will make it happen all members have a place where they add the most value

31 4th C: Collaborative Building effective teams cont Once you re underway... establish team charter set guidelines for team dynamics allow the team to define the vision set up a scoreboard so the team knows where they stand

32 4th C: Collaborative Building effective teams cont As you progress... celebrate success, even if it s small celebrate failure, if we learned something from it communicate progress with rest of organization only make promises you can keep

33 5th C: Cultural Safety walk it, talk it, live it, breathe it Become part of how we do business weaves through everything we do in our organizations Takes a few years to change a culture

34 5th C: Cultural Safety culture awareness test Are new employees thoroughly oriented regarding safety practices and policies?

35 5th C: Cultural Safety culture awareness test Do people have the tools and equipment they need to perform up to safety standards?

36 5th C: Cultural Safety culture awareness test Do people have the time they need to do their jobs safely?

37 5th C: Cultural Safety culture awareness test Is safety built into your performance management and development system?

38 5th C: Cultural Safety culture awareness test Are employees encouraged to discuss safety concerns? Are those concerns heard openly, without judgment?

39 5th C: Cultural Safety culture awareness test Does management demonstrate the same level of safety as expected from the front line employees?

40 Measuring Safety Success Test communication materials with employees What is the frequency of information distributed? What are your employees saying (informal and formal feedback)

41 Measuring Safety Success How many people are involved in your safety program? How may people are attending and participating in safety meetings? Is there a decrease in the number of identified hazards, near misses and incidents? (compare to targets)

42 Forrest H. Kirkpatrick American educator and community leader The eye s a better student and more willing than the ear. Fine counsel is confusing, but example s always clear. And the best of all the preachers are the men who live their creeds. For to see the good in action is what everybody needs.

43 I can soon learn how to do it if you let me see it done. I can watch your hands in action, but your tongue too fast may run. And the lectures you deliver may be very wise and true. But I d rather get my lesson by observing what you do. For I may not understand you and the high advice you give. But there s no misunderstanding how you act and how you live.

44 Conclusion Safety communication leadership is in your head (what you think) in your heart (what you believe) and in your hands (what you do).

45 Thank you... and have a safe day!