THE PRESENCE OF SAFETY
Finlays’ evolving approach to Health and Safety.
Words: Michael Keating
SINCE LAUNCHING OUR ZERO HARM STRATEGY IN 2017, WE HAVE ACHIEVED SIGNIFICANT SUCCESS IN REDUCING ACCIDENTS AND INCIDENTS IN PRIMARY FACTORY AND FIELD OPERATIONS.
This has been achieved by a combination of engineering and systems controls, capability building and the development of a bespoke safety culture:
Everybody, everywhere, every day, in everything we do. At work and at home.
Building on this culture means we can never stand still. After several years of progress, our safety performance had started to plateau. We had to take action!
We identified the need for greater focus on the ‘presence of safety’, and we have launched a refreshed strategy based on six key principles:
Being more POSITIVE. We focus on the presence of safety through our ‘Safe Days’ approach, with safety communications, walkabouts, improvements and recognition every day. This requires engaging everybody, everywhere, in improving our safety.
Being more PROACTIVE. We encourage everyone to stop and think before acting. Is it safe? Can we make it safer? ACT – Action Changes Things.
Demonstrating VISIBLE SAFETY LEADERSHIP. Not everyone can be a safety manager, but everyone can be a safety leader. Leading by example, engaging at all levels, never walking past an unsafe act or condition without taking action.
LEARNING more. If adverse incidents occur, we investigate, identify root cause(s), and act to prevent recurrence. We encourage everyone to ask questions, to challenge, and to continually learn and develop.
More SHARING. We share learnings from what’s gone well and what hasn’t. We support leadership and learning by engaging everyone, everywhere, in everything we do, and we talk to each other about safety every day.
Better ALIGNMENT. We are aligning H&S more closely with other relevant functions (e.g. quality and manufacturing) to help drive a 1Finlays approach: everything we do, we do it safely. We get it right first time and we do it efficiently, consistently.
This is a fundamental change in our approach to health and safety across Finlays and a progressive shift to delivering a safe working environment that everyone can be proud of. The strategy will deliver tangible benefits to more than just health and safety – it will contribute towards a culture of excellence.
We are always willing to share our health and safety experience and collect tips from our peers. Please do reach out on the email below if you’d like to start a conversation!
Michael Keating is Global Head of Health and Safety
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