Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36AUGUST 2016 • FOGHORN 11 FOGHORNFOCUS: SAFETY strong safety culture can demonstrate to your employees that there is commit- ment from the top of the organization supporting a common safety goal. At the same time, employees want to see that there are consequences for those that fail to adhere to the “safety first” commitment. Now, your employees shouldn’t feel fearful of making a mistake, but confident that the actions of a few bad apples won’t be tolerated. Once employees know they will be treated equally in supporting and improving the safety culture, they will be more forthcoming with solutions and take ownership of their safe work environment. The following areas are critical to sustaining a successful safety culture, but without invoking accountability and consistency into the operation may limit the effectiveness of your system. Let’s explore further: Employee Attitude towards Safety (including Management): A positive employee attitude and outlook is critical to the success of the safety management system, but sometimes, bravado can get in the way of working safely and smartly. A history of strong safety records can be an indication of a well-managed safety culture or it could be pure luck. The support of the safety culture relies on positive attitude at all levels of the organization. If supervi- sors don’t participate, then how can his or her reports participate in good faith without fear of judgment or re- sentment? There is a reason why all international safety standards, such as ISO (International Standards of Organization) or ISM (International Safety Management), state the need for support from the top of the organiza- tion. Management must lead the safety charge by taking on the responsibility of building a safer environment. Every level of management must make it personal and realize that the ground support will respond to the consistency that is demonstrated throughout their direct supervision and management. Preferential Treatment / Favoritism: Everyone wants to be respected in their profession. It is important to build an environment that does not allow prefer- ential treatment to take place, especially in regards to enforcing safety protocol. The goal for any safety culture is for the entire organization to take their safety and the safety of others seriously. When employees feel singled out or treated unfairly, it can lead to resentment and frustration which invites a workforce to question the fairness of the system. When everyone plays by the same rules, employees will be more willing to take ownership of their mistakes and not make it personal. Safety Reporting: It takes time for a safety culture to grow. A successful safety system will, over time, correct non-conformities and safety issues, so that they do not repeat and become cat- astrophic. Agood technique to develop support and demonstrate consistency throughout your organization is to introduce a reward and merit program. These programs can recognize indi- viduals or teams in support of safety. You can reward crew that offer the most safety solutions, provide timely safety reports or many other means Choose Safety! VIKING Coastal Liferaft A rugged and USCG compliant rescue solution for use on commercial vessels operating in coastal waters. Stored in a fiber glass container or a handy valise. VIKING PS2006 Did you know that there is a huge difference in the quality of approved immersion suits? Materials and the manufacture have a big influence on how suits fit, how they perform and how long they last. Quality suits are simply more durable – and that saves you money in the long run. All VIKING immersion suits are designed, manufactured and tested to ensure a perfect fit while providing maximum protection against the effects of hypothermia. And our products are backed by an extensive network of servicing stations on all coasts. It’s an important decision for your safety and your budget. Let us help you make the right choice – the first time around. VIKING LIFE-SAVING EQUIPMENT (AMERICAS) Inc. 1521 S. 92nd. Place Suite A . Seattle, 98108 . WA Tel.: (206) 783-3900 . Fax: (206) 783-3993 . E-mail: SeattleService@VIKING-life.com WWW.VIKING-LIFE.COM B_US_ad_PS2006_W4,875xH7_may2016.indd 1 15/05/16 18.44