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For starters, no windows allowed.
Too distracting. Instead, he installed a gigantic skylight,
which lights up the whole floor. When it comes to safety
on the job – Mr. D. rules. His company has only had one
lost time injury in 15 years.
How does he do it? Not alone, that’s for sure. His entire
staff – from the top down – has bought into his vision
of a safe and caring worksite. “You’ve got to give people
a safe place to work. It shows you care.
The bottom line is you can’t just ‘replace’ a worker.
The cost and time it takes to recruit and train can take
months. Just do the math.” |
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| Fred
Drury, 76, co-owns and operates a medium-sized
factory in west Edmonton. He's built several factories
in his career, and began tying safety to his management
style and bottom line years ago, after a colleague was
killed on the job site in Alaska.
"I'll never forget that,"
he sadly recalls. "You don't want to have to face a
man's wife and children with that kind of news." |
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Fred's RULES
Fred’s philosophy is simple.
“Give ‘em a good environment. Keep ‘em safe. Celebrate
the successes. Make sure your people are behind
you. Or else it won’t work.”
Start today –
Train management.
Ensure they buy into your philosophy on safety.
Don’t lie to your people.
If you’re going to do something – do it!
Keep your shop clean.
Make it a priority. Get rid of the Sunshine girls.
Create a workplace of respect.
Hold regular safety meetings. “Some
of our best ideas come out of those meetings,” Fred
says.
Have staff certified.
One third of Fred’s staff holds a St. John Ambulance
certificate.
Cover up the windows. They’re too
distracting. Find another light source (Fred had
a huge skylight built).
No liquor.
Be clear. It is a problem in many industries. Acknowledge
it and establish zero tolerance.
Get out on the floor.
Fred makes a point of touring the factory regularly.
He gets to know staff personally and often notices
ways to improve the level of safety.
Ask for suggestions.
Staff has great ideas, but managers and owners often
forget to ask for their input. Reward good ideas.
Get the good word out.
Install signage that proudly displays the company’s
safety record (i.e. no lost-time days).
Set targets.
Celebrate the milestones. Fred often buys staff
lunch when they reach a certain number of days with
no time lost due to injuries. |
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