Safety is an ongoing process that requires diligent follow through to be effective. It is not enough to conduct a lecture or show a video on safety, have workers sign a form and send them out to do what they really are going to do anyways. If your front line workers do not “get it” when it comes to safety, you may end up losing valuable time and resources dealing with preventable accidents and injuries. It is your job to protect them from themselves if they take safe practices for granted or choose to ignore them.

 

I suggest you “manage by walking around” and observe not only the cleaning practices of front line workers but also their safety practices as well. For instance, are they wearing the right size and type gloves? Are they wearing the correct type shoes with slip resistant bottoms? Are they washing their hands when they change gloves? Are they lifting correctly? Are they pushing trash down with their bare (or gloved) hands? Are they carrying a bag of trash along their side that could have a sharp poking through? Are they putting a spray head on a cleaning product that requires a flip top dispenser? Are they mixing their chemicals “stronger” to get better results? Are they placing their hand under a running vacuum cleaner to determine if the beater bar is working? Are they flushing a toilet with their eyes and mouth catching the spray? Are they listening to music and unaware of their surroundings? Are they spraying a vertical surface (such as an elevator door) with a polish that then becomes a slip hazard?

 

Can you identify other safety violations that could result in injury, lost productivity and even death simply due to careless behavior? What are you doing about it? 

 

Your comments and questions are always welcome. I hope to hear from you soon. Until then, keep it clean…

 

Mickey Crowe has been involved in the industry for over 35 years. He is a trainer, speaker and consultant. You can reach Mickey at 678.314.2171 or CTCG50@comcast.net.

 


posted on 5/23/2014