Safety is paramount in any workplace, especially in high-risk industries such as manufacturing. To ensure the safety of employees and prevent accidents, it is crucial for organizations to have qualified safety professionals who can assess the risks associated with various activities and recommend appropriate control measures. However, ensuring safety is not always straightforward, and safety professionals may face challenges when trying to balance safety requirements with production goals.

In this story, we explore the importance of taking a comprehensive approach to assessing the safety of activities. We share the story of a safety professional named Greg, who faced an urgent request from the production department but despite pushback and complaints from the production department, he insisted on his point of view. His approach ultimately helped the organization identify potential hazards, mitigate risks, and conduct the activity without any incidents or accidents.

We hope this story will serve as a reminder of the importance of prioritizing safety over expediency, and that it will inspire safety professionals and organizations to adopt a comprehensive approach to ensuring workplace safety.

Greg is a safety professional at a manufacturing plant. One day, he received an urgent request from the production department asking him to assess the safety of a new activity they were planning to start. They only provided him with the title of the activity, which was “Project X.”

Greg knew that assessing the safety of an activity required a comprehensive understanding of the activity itself, so he replied to the production department, telling them that he needed to know more about “Project X” before he could make an informed decision about its safety. He provided them with a list of key information he needed to properly assess the activity, which included the purpose and scope of the activity, potential hazards, equipment and materials involved, relevant safety standards and regulations, risk assessment, control measures, PPE requirements, emergency response procedures, training requirements, and communication and coordination protocols.

The production department was initially frustrated with Greg’s response, as they needed to start “Project X” as soon as possible. They even went ahead and complained to the higher managment about Greg’s reluctance to suppport. It was very unpleasant experience, when such a dedicated person like Greg was treated this way, whereas he only wanted to enable himself to evaluate all aspects of the project.

However, after long discussions and Greg defending his view using examples from past incidents everybody finally realized that Greg’s approach was the responsible one, and that they needed to prioritize safety over expediency. They provided Greg with all the necessary information he requested, and Greg was able to conduct a thorough assessment of the activity.

During his assessment, Greg identified several potential hazards associated with “Project X” that the production department had not even considered. He was able to recommend appropriate control measures to mitigate the risks, as well as PPE requirements, emergency response procedures, and training requirements for personnel involved in the activity.

Thanks to Greg’s comprehensive approach, the production department was able to implement appropriate safety measures for “Project X” and conduct the activity without any incidents. Later they appreciated his dedication to ensuring the safety of everyone involved in the activity.

In the end, Greg’s approach demonstrated the benefits of prioritizing safety over expediency. By taking the time to gather and assess all relevant information, he was able to identify potential hazards, mitigate risks, and protect the well-being of everyone involved in the activity.

By answering the below questions and assessing the results with all due responsibility…

1. What
   1. What will be the operation
   2. Scope
   3. Stages
2. Who
   1. Who will be involved
   2. How many will be involved,
   3. What are their roles and responsibilities
3. How
   1. Equipment
   2. Materials
   3. Processes

In the end, Greg’s commitment to safety paid off. His diligence and attention to detail helped to protect the well-being of the organization’s employees and prevent any negative impact on the organization’s productivity or reputation.

This story serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of prioritizing safety over expediency. While it may be tempting to rush into a new activity or project without taking the time to fully assess the risks, doing so can lead to serious consequences for both employees and the organization as a whole.

By following Greg’s example and prioritizing safety, organizations can create a workplace culture that values the well-being of employees and promotes sustainable success for years to come.