August 2011

Safety Leadership
AMEC's safety cultures foundation rests on the program and consists of three key elements: 1. Our standards as defined by the Six Safety Essentials and the 10 Safety Rules. 2. Our Leadership 3. Everyone Involved
This month we will look at the role leadership plays for both management and employees to ensure work is performed safely and personal responsibility for safety is accepted in their roles. When we speak of safety leadership, what are we really saying? We are saying that safety leadership is visibly demonstrated, through words and actions, that your safety and the safety of those around you are part of your personal value set and that you are not prepared to compromise or put at risk their safety to achieve other objectives. As a project, office, business line or other type of manager, their safety leadership focused on:
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employees. In the eyes of the employee, the supervisor is the company, says Buckingham and Coffman. Supervisors have a very special role in a company, similar to a marine sergeant who leads his troops to reach an objective but remains constantly focused on their wellbeing, and individual strengths and weaknesses. In safety leadership, supervisors:
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Setting the tone and leading by example Being wary of diluting the safety message with unintended signals Talking to your teams about safety Talking about your own accountability and personal responsibility related to safety Taking part in site visits that are supportive and mentoring Asking for feedback to ensure your safety message is continuously improving.

Set expectations and lead by example Demonstrate exemplary safety behavior and demand it of others Stress the obligation to intervene Spend time at the worksite Challenge risk perceptions Encourage constant awareness especially on routine tasks

From the 1999 book written by Buckingham and Coffman, First Break all the Rules, they state, Never underestimate the influence supervisors have on your workforce. This particular business management best-seller documents a survey of 80,000 supervisors and managers and a million

When the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued its regulations in 1971, it required employers to provide a safe work environment for its employees. This regulation, referred to as the General Duty Clause, 5(a)(1), states, "Each employer shall furnish to each of his employees employment and a place of employment which are free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to his employees". Many employees are unaware that there is also a regulatory obligation for employees to work safely. That is referred to as 5(b) and states, Each employee shall comply with occupational safety and health standards and all rules, regulations, and
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orders issued pursuant to this Act which are applicable to his own actions and conduct. Within AMEC, employees as with supervisors and managers have a leadership role regarding safety and they must:
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Comply with The Six Safety Essentials Ignoring The Six Safety Essentials is unacceptable behavior Intervention is not just an option its an obligation Be aware of schedule pressure and say STOP when safety is not being considered Inform your supervisor of any safety concerns

Influencing others requires that you regularly observe, assess and intervene in the workplace, recognize and act on poor safety conditions and commend safety work practices. We have seen so far that AMECs safety culture is based on following basic safety standards and maintaining an attitude towards safety as well as how safety leadership from managers, supervisors and employees sets the tone for a focus on safety. In the last segment of this three part series, engagement by having Everyone Involved will be discussed as it applies to AMEC as well as its subcontractors.

With all AMEC employees having safety leadership responsibilities, communicating safety to others is one of The Six Safety Essentials You Must Intervene. This Safety Essential mandates that if you believe your safety, or the safety of others is being compromised, you have the right and obligation to intervene and stop the work. With that responsibility, you also have the ability to influence the health and safety of others. To effectively influence others regarding safety one has to be able to communicate in a positive fashion to not only facilitate change but to acknowledge others when they are following the rules.

Answer the questions...

Safety Quiz

Please return your completed Safetygram to your designated safety representative.

1. OSHA's General Duty Clause mandates employers must provide a safe work environment to its employees. 2. Safety leadership is visibly demonstrated through words and actions, we lead by example. 3. Employees do not have any obligation to follow established work practices.

TRUE

FALSE

4. Saying something or taking action when unsafe conditions are observed is not a requirement within AMEC. 5. Managers are required to visit project sites within their area of responsibility. Name: ______________________ Phone Number: ______________