Safety+Health

Some 75% of respondents to Safety+Health’s 2019 Job Outlook say their employers don’t have a succession plan for the safety and health function. How can employers begin the process?

In the years since the 9/11 terrorist attacks, training and preparation for police, fire and emergency medical services professionals has taken on heightened importance,

“There is no silver bullet for eliminating all error from the workplace,” says Michael Mangan of DEKRA Organizational Safety and Reliability. “However, organizations can put strong defenses in place.”

Veteran safety pro turned professional speaker Richard Hawk offers advice for taking advantage of “all the opportunities you’ll have to learn and network” at the National Safety Council 2019 Congress & Expo.

“It is important to clearly define the safety observation process in organizations to achieve maximum benefit from the activity and avoid a ‘checking-the-box’ exercise,” says Cary Usrey, process improvement leader at Predictive Solutions, who adds that observations “should be a two-way conversation aimed at developing an understanding and providing mutual benefit.”

Set to take place Sept. 6-12 in San Diego, the NSC 2019 Congress & Expo is the world’s largest annual event for environmental, health and safety professionals. Safety+Health offers an extensive preview, including a look at educational sessions, keynote speakers, networking opportunities, the “Best in Show” New Product Showcase Awards, and more.

During the summer months, outdoor workers are at heightened risk of heat-related illnesses, ranging from mild heat rash to potentially deadly heatstroke. “It’s not like you just provide them water and that solves the problem,” one expert says. “It starts with an effective plan.”

“Simply requesting that employees ‘remain situationally aware’ is not a strategy informed by science and will always be met with skepticism and flawed execution,” says Rajni Walia of DEKRA Organizational Safety and Reliability. “We need to consider how we can improve situational awareness when it matters most.”

“Until leaders understand that there is a level of safety beyond zero, they will be stuck on the dreaded ‘hockey stick plateau’ in their safety performance,” says speaker Bill Sims Jr., who adds that many “fail to see the underlying ‘management system at risk’ behaviors that kill more people than worker behavior ever will.”

“It may sound odd, but we often lose our passion about an aspect of our work because we don’t remind ourselves of how much we like it,” says veteran safety pro turned professional speaker Richard Hawk, who shares tips for helping you develop and maintain passion for your career and your life.