A culture of safety in your organization begins from the top down. Are you the public works director, a streets superintendent, a city manager, a councilperson, or the mayor? You are the leaders that set the tone for a safe work environment. And you can be just the fresh set of eyes that sees risks in the workplace, large and small, that can present potential work-related injuries.
You don’t have to be a safety expert to do a walkaround. In fact, because you don’t do what the crew does and because you aren’t in that environment every day, you may be more likely to see what others look right past (forests and trees come to mind).
Don’t call it a safety audit. It’s not an inspection. No clip board need be involved. Oh, you can if you want, but perhaps lowering the formality of it will avoid the understandable defensiveness that can result otherwise. Done effectively, it can be perceived as helpful and as investment in your personnel…and that’s what it should be.
It’s a walkaround. A chance to stretch your legs, an opportunity to better understand what the crew does, the equipment and materials they use, the way they organize the workflow.
It shouldn’t be a surprise or an ambush. Let them know you’d like to stop in next week for look around. If they clean up some rough patches ahead of your visit, that’s fine.
They may ask you to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) in certain areas (safety glasses, a vest, work boots, close-toe shoes, tie back long hair, that kind of thing). They may ask you to give a wide berth to certain areas where you don’t have specialized training (a pump wet well, on-going operations). Do so gladly to reinforce their safety mindedness. If PPE is important for them, it’s important for anyone in the area, regardless of your lofty position.
Ask to see the shop areas, equipment storage areas, material laydown areas, office areas, and even the operations they perform out on the road (extra caution and PPE needed there). You don’t have to see them all at once. You can make it a series of visits over a period of time.
What are you looking for? Everything. Anything. You are the fresh set of eyes, so put your head on a swivel and take it all in. Get a sense of what goes on in a certain space and the various uses that may change seasonally. Ask questions. It’s fine that you don’t know what that thing is; there’s probably things back at your office that they’re not sure of either. People are proud of what they do and what they know, so they’re usually glad to talk about it and explain things. Besides, you’re the Big Cheese, so what are they going to do, say no?
So let’s talk some specifics. In the shop areas, are things organized? Do things seem to have a place and are they in it? Is there clutter that interferes with good workflow? Is anything stacked precariously? Are there extension cords or other lines across walkways? Are there flammables, paints, solvents, gas cylinders? If so, how are they stored? Are extension cords and air hoses in good condition? Are there fire extinguishers (and are they up to date)? Is fugitive dust kept to a minimum (there’s always going to be some, so ease up)? They may not have a dust collection system, but if there’s not a push broom somewhere, time to ask how they manage dust and dirt. Are safety glasses and ear protection readily available? Are there clear paths from any corner of the shop to the nearest exit? How’s the lighting? Are there provisions (signs, at a minimum) to minimize the potential for unauthorized personnel to enter the area?
Let’s take a break here. As you go through, you’ll probably be escorted around. Where you can, take time to point out the things that you think are good practices, that you’re glad to see, that you’re impressed by. If you are just commenting on the problem areas, you are either doing it wrong or the place is a disaster. In all likelihood, there are many more good practices than bad and your observations should be just as balanced. Your role should be to encourage and acknowledge good behavior as much or more than noting problem areas.
Okay, back to your walkaround. In the maintenance yard, are there areas where a worker on foot could be struck by a piece of equipment coming through? If so, what measures are there to avoid that? Is the area fenced to keep unauthorized personnel out of harm’s way? Is there a pile of scrap metal that someone could get cut on as they walk by? Does equipment get a periodic inspection to ensure it’s running correctly and that all safety features are in good working order?
You’ll want to look for similar things in equipment storage yards or buildings.
What about employee break rooms or locker areas or the like? Are they relatively neat, clean, and organized? Remember, this is a workplace, so it’s not going to be spotless. But is there food waste laying around, have tables not seen some spray cleaner in a while? Is there a microwave that you wouldn’t warm up a Hot Pocket in? Is there a water cooler or some other source of drinking water? Is there good acces to sinks for washing up and are there paper towels and such? Is there a bulletin board for notices and cool safety posters (the Delaware T2/LTAP Center is just one source for these; give us a shout)?
Office areas can become cramped with filing cabinets and boxes of supplies. Are they obstructing good access to exits or creating a workflow problem? Are chairs in good condition? Are work stations ergonomically challenged? Are bathrooms (more or less) clean? Are they stocked with needed consumables?
Maybe you want to go out on the road for a visit also. Definitely give a heads up on this one, because they’ll want to either escort you out or ensure you can access the area safely when you arrive. Maybe the crew is patching some potholes or mowing roadside areas or repairing a street sign. Are they wearing high-visibility safety vests? Is there suitable temporary traffic control (cones, certified flaggers)? Do their work vehicles and equipment have rotating beacons or strobes? Are they conscious of slope area risks? Are they on the lookout for pests and squirmy critters? Did they recently hold a tailgate safety talk for the activity? For specialty operations, do they have specialty PPE (e.g., chaps if they are using a chainsaw)? Is there drinking water available (particularly, but not limited to hot weather – dehydration can be a real risk in their work)?
Are these all the things to look for? All the questions? Most certainly not. You don’t need to see everything. See what you see. Ask questions. Understand the operation better. That will help you see things clearer. You will never catch everything, but every risk you see can be a thing to improve upon. The work your crews do inherently involve risk and you can rarely eliminate it. Where you can eliminate the risk, take steps to do so. Where you can’t, take measures to minimize it. Good organization, good training, good practices, good PPE, and situational awareness go a long way.
Remember, you should be as positive and encouraging as you can, while you still respectfully note the things to improve upon. Take some notes if you like and share them afterwards. Tell the crew you’d like to stop back in a few weeks later or a couple months later to see their progress.
Ask them what you can do to help. Yes, you fear they’re going to go through your pockets. We need this and this and that and that. Oh, the budget impacts! Well, chances are, many of the things that can make a difference won’t break the bank. Most PPE is relatively cheap (and essential). Most other safety improvements can be accomplished with some organization and a few material purchases. Bigger initiatives will require a budget year or two to accomplish. Unless it’s a glaring problem, that schedule is probably fine.
When you set the tone for a culture of risk management in your operations, good employees will follow the lead. Less risk means less near-misses, less injuries, less broken stuff, less lost work time, and, ta dah, cost savings and efficiency. Good employees will appreciate the care you show and efforts to make their work safer. We talk all the time about investing in our personnel – time to walk the walk.
You can do this. And you are probably in the best position to do it. But, if you can’t find the time or you’re just uncomfortable with it, we can help. The Delaware T2/LTAP Center’s Engineering Circuit Rider is intended to provide technical assistance and training to local agencies and so if you would like, we can do the walkaround for you. There is no charge for Delaware local agencies; it’s why we are here. Contact Matt Carter at matheu@udel.edu or (302) 831-7236 and let’s take a step up for safety.
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