Why Active & Visible Management
Commitment to Health & Safety (H&S)?

"Management commitment provides the motivating force and resources for organizing and controlling activities within an organization." (Weinstein 1997:113) "The executive who provides people ways to be on top in their part of the work, to know what their responsibilities are and can be, to grow more competent and useful, and to be recognized for their performance – this is the executive who is taking the giant steps to motivate people toward an effective loss-reducing safety program which contributes to profit and growth." (Findlay and Kuhlman 1980:77,78) "The supervisor’s leadership behaviour reflects the leadership behaviour he or she sees up the line." (Findlay and Kuhlman 1980:78) "The executive has the key to effective safety motivation. It resides in his or her attitudes; in his or her ability to manage; in his or her commitment, involvement, and leadership." (Ibid) "Without true management commitment and visibility throughout the operation, the safety program will never reach its greatest potential." (Woerner 1996:161)
20 POWERFUL H&S MOTIVATING ACTIONS FOR SENIOR MANAGEMENT
Ö	Regularly (at least quarterly) walk through various work sites and randomly stop & talk to employees about safe work practices;
Ö	Provide clear, reasonable and timely responses through various communication vehicles, to health & safety concerns regarding questions/comments raised by the workforce.
Ö	Periodically greet employees at the entrance door at the beginning of work shifts or at the exit at the end of work shifts with a  H&S pin, T-shirt, mug, lunch ticket, etc. This activity should tie into the workplace meeting a positive H&S milestone, or other company theme. Also, this is an opportunity to thank employees for their H&S contribution.
Ö	Set up management H&S performance measures where an increase or decrease of accident costs are tied into departmental divisional budgets. This action can begin the process of having H&S fully integrated into company operations.
Ö	Sign a H&S policy which reflects the importance of H&S in your workplace, division, department.
Ö	Participate in setting yearly measurable H&S goals for the organization and communicate these goals to the organization as well as give regular updates  (at least quarterly).
Ö	Place H&S as a standing priority item for all management meetings.
Ö	Participate in JHSC meetings.
Ö	Participate in workplace H&S audits, site inspections, and serious incident  investigations.
Ö	Review incident & accident investigation reports and corrective actions regularly (at least quarterly) and communicate incident & accident investigation results to all employees following a review.
Ö	Contribute H&S news items to your workplace through newsletters/Intranet/e-mail, etc.
Ö	Informally question managers, supervisors and employees about their H&S activities and performance.
Ö	Participate in a formal review progress (at least quarterly) of yearly H&S goals with managers, supervisors, JHSC or H&S representatives responsible.
Ö	Attend educational or training opportunities that feature H&S.
Ö	Participate in one or more workplace H&S educational or training sessions.
Ö	Ensure the provision of adequate human, financial and educational resources for H&S.
Ö	Always obey all general H&S rules and wear personal protective equipment in work areas requiring this type of protection.
Ö	Perform periodic "housekeeping" inspections.
Ö	Provide workforce access to certified H&S professionals.
Ö	Make sure management is accessible to all employees for any health concerns.
REFERENCES Findlay J. and R. Kuhlman 1980 Leadership in Safety. Loganville, Georgia: Institute Press. Weinstein, M. B. 1997 Total Quality Safety management and Auditing. Boca Raton: Lewis Publishers. Woerner, J. F. 1996 "Training, Interest, And Motivation - Practical Applications That Work" in Essentials of Safety and Health Management, edited by Lack, R.W. Boca Raton: Lewis Publishers. Pp. 159-161.

WorkSafeNB Occupational Health Section: 07/99