The SAFE-T-WALK© Module
SAFE-T-WALK
The SAFE-T-WALK© is a senior leadership visibility program. Too often senior leaders within the business “talk the talk” when it comes to safety; although when it comes to putting all that “talk” into action there are significant gaps identified.
We know, without any doubt whatsoever, that the Transformational Safety® Leadership we have called “The Invisible Man” can be toxic when its presence is aligned with a developing behavioural safety intervention.. It is for that reason that we always implement the SAFE-T-WALK© within all of our behavioural based systems.
Leaders may say they have conflicting priorities, and we acknowledge that they do. The reality though is so too do their at-risk operation employees. If a senior leader gives in to these “conflicts”, then when their employees take a “shortcut” to deliver a process “quicker”, in many cases they are really just mirroring the behaviours they are seeing from within the senior leadership team.
SAFE-T-WALKS© should never be optional.
Integration of the SAFE-T-WALK© shall visibly contribute to:-
- Visible Commitment: When senior leaders actively participate in a SAFE-T-WALK© , it sends a clear message to employees that safety is a value for the organization. This visible commitment from leadership reinforces the importance of safety throughout the organization and sets a positive example for all employees to follow.
- Increased Employee Engagement: Senior leaders engaging in a create an opportunity for direct interaction with employees. This promotes open communication, allowing employees to share safety concerns, suggestions, and ideas. By actively listening (SAFE-T-COACH©) and responding to employee feedback, leaders can demonstrate their genuine interest in employee well-being, fostering a culture of trust and engagement.
- Improved Safety Awareness: During a SAFE-T-WALK© senior leaders have the chance to observe workplace conditions firsthand. They can identify potential hazards, unsafe practices, or areas where safety measures may be lacking. This hands-on experience enhances their understanding of safety issues, enabling them to make informed decisions and allocate resources to address safety concerns effectively.
- Real-Time Feedback and Recognition: Senior leaders can provide immediate feedback to employees during a SAFE-T-WALK©, reinforcing positive safety behaviors or addressing unsafe practices. Timely feedback allows for course correction, ensuring that employees are aware of the desired safety standards. Recognizing and appreciating employees for their commitment to safety reinforces a positive safety culture and encourages further engagement.
- Alignment of Safety Policies and Practices: A leadership SAFE-T-WALK© provides an opportunity for leaders to assess whether safety policies and procedures are being implemented consistently across the organization. They can identify any gaps between established policies and actual practices, enabling them to take corrective actions and ensure alignment. This promotes consistency and standardization in safety practices throughout the organization.
- Continuous Improvement: Through a SAFE-T-WALK©, leaders can identify areas for improvement and initiate safety enhancement initiatives. They can collect valuable insights from employees and use the information to develop new safety strategies, implement additional training programs, or invest in necessary safety equipment. This continuous improvement mindset reinforces the organization’s commitment to ongoing safety enhancement.
- Positive Impact on Organizational Culture: A senior leadership SAFE-T-WALK© contributes to the development of a strong safety culture. By integrating with other SAFE-T-SOS Psycho-Behavioural modules leaders show their dedication to creating a safe work environment. This involvement encourages employees at all levels to take ownership of safety and cultivates a culture where safety is not seen as a separate task but as an integral part of daily operations.
In conclusion, a senior leadership SAFE-T-WALK© has immense value in promoting workplace safety. It demonstrates leadership commitment, encourages employee engagement, improves safety awareness, aligns policies and practices, facilitates real-time feedback and recognition, drives continuous improvement, and fosters a positive safety culture. By embracing this practice, organizations can create safer workplaces and establish a strong foundation for employee well-being and organizational success.
To read more about the SAFE-T-SOS Psycho-Behavioral Technologies just Click Here.
To read Dr Rob Long’s excellent thoughts on conducting a safety leadership walk-around just Click Here.
“Most organizations operate in failure states and that just remains invisible because bad stuff is not happening. We might call that the ‘normalization of deviance’ and, make no mistake, it will kill.”
Ricky, Atlanta
“I was fortunate to attend Transformational Safety’s Anatomies of Disaster Program. This was amongst the most powerful two days I have ever spent in a room. From the outset David Broadbent set the scene by dedicating the program to the late Rick Rescorla – the man who is credited with saving over 2700 lives on 9/11. Throughout the two days David would often respectively reflect and remember those who had died, or been injured, in the disasters we explored. He would say, and I will never forget, “…we must always remember those that lost their lives lift us up into the light of understanding”. I learnt so much. HRO, Resilience Engineering, Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) and more. Those of us who were there are still talking about it…… Thankyou David
