Selling Safety

The absence of accidents does not imply the presence of safety. Whoever first said this hit the target. Having "Safety" is not just a mater of having no accidents. It is also not simply a matter of having good comprehensive written programs. The process of safety involves people, every day, every minute. The first lesson of sales is to understand the difference between "Content and Process".  

Content consists of WHAT you want to achieve, or your goal. Content includes written procedures, action lists, step-by-step procedures, training guides or simply verbal instructions. Content defines the scope and end point of a task or project. 

Process on the other hand is the group dynamics of HOW a project, procedure or goal is accomplished AND the effect these actions have on individuals and groups for future accomplishment. Process is the single most important factor in affecting success or failure of a task. Understanding and proper use of Process will improve the ability of a group meet goals and exhibit behaviorally specific correct actions such as ALWAYS following Lockout-Tagout procedures every time. Process is that "warm and fuzzy" part of managing people that is often overlooked. Properly used, process can be used to effectively set and enforce standards, convey positive expectations and solve problems. Use every "crisis" as an opportunity to strengthen groups and improve employee performance and involvement.

Having safety means that employees:

Ok, who's responsible for this mess?

Management needs cost control and measurable results - they speak the language of accounting and process management Supervisor need control of their work areas, defined responsibilities and management support - the speak the language of production & quality control Employees need fair treatment, tools for the tasks and a team environment - they speak the language of effort and acceptance.

Sell a good product. Ninety percent of the "Safety Job" is selling safety. Most managers are not well versed in OSHA safety requirements or even in their own company's safety procedures. Many see safety as simply a list of rules to be followed (unless there is a production crisis - then it's out the window). When you have the opportunity to present anything to your managers, be it a project, memo for their signature, training plan, or simply a list, take the time to prepare a smooth finished copy - never a rough draft or random notes on a scrap of paper. It is the job of the "Safety Person" to complete the research, design and execution plan for every safety task. To do this effectively, look at other similar company documents to get the "flavor and tempo" of methods that have been successful in the past. This philosophy of presenting a clean document is often referred to as "Completed Staff Work". In sales, presentation is everything. Your boss doesn't want scraps.

Sell the Sizzle not the Steak! How do you make people aware of the benefits of your "products & services"? We have seen a great hoopla about behavior based training. Basically, it's a new coat of paint on the old concept of behavior intervention and modification. For as long as the world has existed, human behavior has been a result of a combination of external stimulus as well as internal and associative values. Effective use of these concept can result in improved safety behavior.

Start Day One. The first day on the job is the most important. The new employee brings their own values to your company and this is the time that they are most willing to modify their individual value system to fit in, be accepted and be seen as a positive contributor. Make sure all negative stimulus has been removed from your New Hire Orientation Program. Look at what the new employee actually experiences during that first day. Is there a series of long and boring orientation lectures? Who do they meet and what impact does this have? Do they get to see the big picture and a view of how they will be contributing? Are company values, rules and expectations clearly and simply communicated? Are they introduced to other employees who will also communicate positive values or will they, left on their own, meet the bad apples? Control this new experience the first day and the first week to ensure new employees are properly tuned into your performance expectations.

Using your Safety Committee Members. Make sure your new employees meet a few Safety Committee Members. Let them know the value of these new people and that they are a part of the plan for training new employees, primarily by being seen as someone they can go to when they have questions. Cultivate and train your Safety Committee to be part of the overall plan for ensuring safe behavior by all employees. All employees should see management fully supporting the committee members on the production floor, not just during committee meetings.

Does 100% yield 100%? One of the most effective techniques I have seen used during safety orientation is to tell the new employee that the company is renting their behavior. That is, the company will pay them 100% of the agreed pay and, therefore, the employee has the obligation to adhere to the behaviors required. This includes behavior and attendance at safety meetings and following all safety rules. Believe it or not this turns out to be a novel concept for many new workers. Tell new employees that they will receive 100% of their earned pay. Given that, they will now be more receptive when you tell them that the company should be able to expect 100% compliance with performance expectations. Tell them that you are "renting" their behavior or paying for their service. This won't work on everyone, however, those who are "convinced" will have an impact on those who hang back.  

Understanding motivating factors. Communicating positive expectations is only part of the plan. If you expect employees to adopt proper actions and attitudes, the company must overtly and continually make each employee feel accepted, needed and known as an individual who's positive values are appreciated. Get to know the person. Only then can behavior intervention succeed.

Sell, sell sell... and reap the rewards of a smooth running safety program.

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