Living on a farm provides me with many opportunities to “walk the talk” as a health and safety auditor. It’s one thing to preach safety in a professional setting, but it’s another to live it day in and day out.
I often ask myself, “Am I truly living this stuff, or is it just lip service?”
Recently, I’ve had a series of close calls that reminded me of the importance of constant vigilance. In just six weeks, I nearly overturned a tractor twice and had a run-in with a tree limb that resulted in seven stitches to my upper lip. These mishaps humbled me, reinforcing the fact that even experts can let their guard down.
These personal experiences have reinforced some key principles that I emphasize in my professional work:
Accident Prevention Through Pre-planning
It’s not enough to react to accidents; we must proactively prevent them. In both farm work and industrial settings, taking the time to assess risks and plan accordingly can make all the difference.
Systematic Approaches to Safety
I teach tools that ensure a systematic method is used to plan for and prevent accidents. These aren’t just theoretical concepts - they’re practical approaches that can be applied in any setting, from a small farm to a large manufacturing plant.
Measuring Progress
It’s crucial to set up measurements to track how you’re doing and to show improvement over time. Without concrete data, it’s impossible to know if your safety initiatives are truly effective.
Driving Accountability in Training Safety
Training isn’t just about ticking boxes. I help organizations find ways to drive real accountability into their training programs, ensuring that safety becomes a part of the company culture.
As an ISO expert, I can’t help but draw parallels between these principles and the framework provided by ISO 45001, the international standard for occupational health and safety management systems. This standard emphasizes the importance of leadership, worker involvement, and continuous improvement - all elements that I’ve found crucial in my personal and professional experiences with safety.
My recent close calls on the farm have renewed my passion for helping organizations prevent accidents. Whether you’re managing a small team or overseeing a large corporation, the principles of effective health and safety management remain the same.
I want to talk to you and help you see how you can help your organization prevent accidents. Let’s work together to create a safer work environment, one that goes beyond compliance and truly embraces a culture of safety.
Remember, safety isn’t just about following rules - it’s about creating a mindset where every individual takes responsibility for their own safety and the safety of those around them. It’s a continuous journey, one that requires constant vigilance, learning, and improvement.
Debra Matthews Hampton, PE
ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, ISO 22000, ISO 13485
P.S. Are you ready to take your organization’s safety culture to the next level? Let’s connect and explore how we can apply these lessons to your specific context. Together, we can create a safer, more productive workplace for everyone.
Contact us today for a free consultation. Call 229-798-0277 or email debra@ce-q.com to start your journey towards safety.
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