How To Be A Great Safety Leader

Over a 14 month period in 1994-5 BHP Minerals carried out an intensive international safety benchmarking exercise with “best in safety class” companies throughout the world. The following were the major conclusions-Executive management provides the impetus for safety performance. This means that senior management is not only committed to and supports safety, but that it insists on safety performance in a manner that is clearly understood and echoed at all levels. Management focus is the key to quality safety performance.

Being a Great Safety Leader

Elevate safety in your personal and professional priority list

Set the safety example

Send messages to your people about what you expect and value in safety

Place safety as the first agenda item of every meeting you conduct

Have regular safety meetings with your people

Reward / re-inforce good safety performance

Respond positively when safety issues are raised

Have regular safety inspections

Ensure risks are assessed & controlled