June 28, 2004—New research for the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents shows the benefits of directors returning to the shop floor to tackle health and safety issues. The Society looked at 23 RoSPA occupational safety award-winning organizations in the UK to see how board members took responsibility for health and safety, and whether senior management demonstrated visible commitment and leadership in undertaking operational health and safety activities, or whether they were too remote.
RoSPA found that 21 of the organizations carried out “back-to-the-floor” activities, including health and safety tours, audits, inspections, risk assessments, accident and incident investigation, unannounced “crisis” visits, and best area competitions.
Motivations included: moral duty of care, building a positive culture, strong leadership, testing health and safety management systems, and improving loss control and client-customer confidence.
RoSPA concluded, “Back-to the-floor activities develop a first-hand appreciation of gaps between corporate health and safety rhetoric and real conditions at the workface. They demonstrate strong leadership and visible commitment, not only to policy but also to its effective implementation. They involve and motivate employees; improve board-level understanding and focus on health and safety; and thus have a valuable role to play in contributing to improved performance.”
Now the Society wants “back-to-the-floor” activities introduced more widely and supported by the UK’s Health and Safety Commission in an effort to persuade more directors to provide greater health and safety leadership. Guidelines for organizations also need to be improved to include a specific requirement for directors to understand and take part in “back-to-the-floor” sessions.
