Debbie Brown’s Post

As far as reasonably practical comes to mind

I agree with you Debbie Brown we are all part of conversations with management which is discussed buisness buisness buisness!! But I agree to your approach to this slogan as you have put it, that’s when I think people will truly understand and appreciate the controls businesses are implementing also for management to measure/review has safety really been put first ! 🤙

You may appreciate Paul O'Neil's views on Alcoa's priorities and shareholder value (and values): How Paul O'Neill Fought For Safety At Alcoa https://nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdavidburkus.com%2F2020%2F04%2Fhow-paul-oneill-fought-for-safety-at-alcoa%2F&data=04%7C01%7Ccmread%40bechtel.com%7Cc1bb0abfae3348b1b80108d98b37ff10%7C22d635a339304779a82d155e2d13b75e%7C0%7C1%7C637693894896035071%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C2000&sdata=fs3AZVEVYMCPKYC%2FvudEf68pCEj3Wqy5lvNo0uNmgt4%3D&reserved=0

I prefer Construction & Safety go Hand in Hand.👍

I like what you are saying Deb, but there is A LOT implied in “make this business successful for the owners /stakeholders”. If some/most companies(worth their salt) don’t do it safely, they won’t be ‘successful’ (for long at least).

Well said! Here is a dilemma: if we shut down our business because of safety reasons, our workers will lose their job. Some may end up in even worth conditions or commiting crimes.. i.e. - NOT safe! I think, safety is a core part of business, not its rival, and shall be communicated that way.

If it was really "Safety First" success would be measured with Safety as the most essential KPI. Why not just have everyone stay home and ensure 100% "success"? It's not called a "Safety Mine" it's a gold mine or coal mine etc. It's not called a "Safety Project" it's called a Construction project. IMO we are there to Mine or Construct or otherwise produce. Rather than "Safety First" some prefer "Safe Production". Where it is openly acknowledged that the workforce; both mgt and hourly, are there to produce with agreement and understanding that: 1. Safety must be integral to the work because that has been proven to be the more productive/profitable method. The goal being to ensure the success of the venture. 2. Safety must be integral to the work because Ventures that are successful and profitable have more dollars for world class equipment, training, staffing and worker compensation. 3.Safety must be integral to the work because it is legally and morally unacceptable to harm or kill people when we know they can be prevented by adequately assessing and controlling risk. I understand the concern over the "Safety First" value. Safe Production has my vote for the three reasons noted above and other valid reasons.

When I hear something like ‘Safety is our first priority,’ I ask (sometimes out loud!), ‘What’s the second priority?’ Usually, there is no defined ‘second priority.’ In fact, safety cannot just be a priority, it actually has to be a value… and a value shared among several is a culture. The value really lands when leadership and workforce understand and believe that safety creates value: safety reduces financial risk, protects market share, preserves license to operate, makes processes more reliable and reduces turnover. It improves shareholder return on investment. It’s good business.

For the past 13 years I've stopped anyone who says to me that Safety is first. From a business perspective, you need three things: production, quality, and safety. If you put too many resources into any one of the three, the other two suffer. I would bring three rubber balls into training sessions with managers - each with one of the three areas written on it. One on each ball - production, quality and Safety. I'd make out like I knew how to juggle, but truth be told, I can't. I would give a ball to a manager, and start juggling two and ask that they toss the 3rd ball into the rotation. Of course I try but inevitably, the balls go flying everywhere. After the laughter stops I would say, "It's tough to juggle all three important areas at once, and some days you might drop a ball." But if the other two areas are strong, they can support and offset the dropping of a ball once in awhile.

Actually many don't understand the concept? What do you think safety first indicates?