Reading an article by Tunzyann A. Griffin on Selling Safety: A Three-Dimensional Approach, with an interesting quote:
“A fire or safety inspector must be a salesperson because to get compliance, you must get buy-in. To get buy-in, you must sell safety—and that means explaining to workers why a code or standard must be met.
I used to think that way, and have not seen the uptake on getting organizations to make workplace injury prevention as important as profit, production, quality and the environment to name a few priorities.
Do we need to shift our thinking?
Our traditional approaches of selling safety as important is not getting the traction, noting that over 5,000 individuals die in US and over 1,000 individuals die in Canadian workplaces annually. Is it the best approach?
Why does profit trump safety?
It is when a major event occurs in an industry, that there is added focus and attention to a catastrophic injury or release in a workplace. An explosion or major loss is covered in the media with it being the “story of the day”. However in the following weeks, the story dies and the effects live on for an organization, its employees and the surrounding community.
Do we need a new approach?
Putting out the question on what we need to do that is different, or will we continue to have the same results.
What can each of us do to change the paradigm?
Respond and let’s get to moving safety to the next level.