I have been in the Safety & Health field for some time now. As I reflect back on previous roles I’ve held or superiors I’ve reported to, it occurs to me what safety is really all about. Some colleagues feel it is solely about regulation adherence, some think it’s about policing or ruling over individuals to fall in line, and others think outside that box with consideration and compassion at the center of their methodology.
Safety, Culture, & Caring
Of course, there are several different safety-focused variations in between those. I try to be fair and kind-hearted, living by the kindergarten principle of “treating people the way you want to be treated” in my professional and personal life. I truly believe in leading the safety initiative with my heart, listening (not hearing) to the concerns of my fellow industrial rock stars, and allowing everyone to have a voice - no matter what or how they are feeling. Working towards a culture of caring, in my opinion, offers the best and safest results for everyone, no matter your “title” or what department you work in. We are all people with many elements in our lives, our workplace making up only one of those. Granted, many hours and days are devoted to our jobs, therefore we should try to make it a safe, great, and worthwhile experience. Returning home at the end of the day/shift should be the #1 priority. Most of the time, we make decisions or have thoughts based on our perceptions or experiences. I find if I can just take a moment, insert myself in someone else’s shoes, and try to understand what they see, I become a better “support” person. When presented with an “opportunity,” every person involved will see that “opportunity” differently.
What Do You See?
Take the pictures below for instance:
- Is it a man squinting while wearing a hat?
- Is it a chicken standing in a bowl eating?
- Is it both?
My point exactly = it all depends on our perception of how circumstances or "opportunities" are addressed. Ultimately, my goal is to be the best cheerleader, support system, and advisor to the heartbeat of our organization, the PEOPLE.
I am fairly new to Martin Engineering, and I look forward to focusing on safety while trying to remember why we all do what we do and how best to handle situations. Keep your eyes posted for future blog posts.
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