Hello readers! It has been a long time since I had last written a blog. If my memory serves me right, it is almost 2 years. Whatever may be the reasons I give will be nothing but excuses. I decided it was high time to stay away and not spread the knowledge I have, to the society.
The title ‘Engage, Educate, Empower, for people to enhance safety’ is the theme for the National Safety Day in India which falls on the 4th of March. In one of the organizations where I have been conducting trainings, I noticed a statement in bold. It said, ‘YOU ARE THE BEST GIFT FOR YOUR FAMILY.’ It is 100% true. The responsibility to remain safe is our first and foremost priority. But how to do it ourselves and keep others safe is a huge question mark.
Today there is so much going on around the world creating loss of life. Wars, accidents, natural disasters and what have not added to the uncertain lives. Jaggie and Maggie, our most loved characters discuss on the theme. Let us listen to them once again.
Jaggy: “Hello Maggie!”
Maggie: “Hi Jaggy, it has been a long time since we met. Trust everything is fine.”
Jaggy: “Yes Maggi, everything is going great.”
Maggie: “Good to hear. This time, the safety day theme is quite interesting.”
Jaggy: “Correct. It says Engage, Educate, Empower, people to enhance Safety. It is a profound statement.”
Maggie: “Of course, it is profound but how does one do it?”
Jaggy: “Safety is something many talk about but follow at their own convenience. Not only in the workplace, but everywhere. We always have an attitude of nothing will happen to me.”
Maggie: “How would you correct that?”
Jaggy: “First, rather than Educate I will Engage them. Engaging does not mean organizing seminars, webinars, or something like that. Engaging involves discussions, taking responsibility and accountability. It is simply not easy.”
Maggie: “You are right but how to do it?”
Jaggy: “As in life everyone needs a WHY to achieve their goals. Here too, we tell them WHY safety is important than everything else. When the Why is clear everyone would be willing to follow. It is important to engage the people on activities to explain the Why?”
Maggie: “Even then there are people who will not engage.”
Jaggy: “Yes, in the end they will come to understand looking at the others who have changed once they have understood the why.”
Maggie: “Oh, I see!”
Jaggy: “The next step is to educate by conducting training sessions on a lot of safety topics. This part is usually being done in all types of workplaces.”
Maggie: “In my office too, they are done but hardly a few ever attend.”
Jaggy: “This is an eternal problem. The attitude is that it is not for me. Once people realize through an experience, they would willingly attend. For people like us as Safety trainers, the way in which we deliver creates the need to attend.”
Maggie: “Then what about empowering people?”
Jaggy: “This is the action part. People should not only talk but put it in action. Safety Leadership is all about visible commitment. Where there are commitment and visibility, people are empowered.”
Maggie: “Same old Jaggy, never giving a straight answer.”
Jaggy: “It is simple Maggie. Communicate and remind people that they are free to report incidents and accidents. Any violation they observe, has to be reported. They should be given clear instructions to report without fear or bias when they see an unsafe act. Have a culture for rewarding people who report violations.”
Maggie: “What about the offender? Do we punish them?”
Jaggy:” Not for every violation. Some can be corrected by discussing things outright when noticed. They can be corrected with a clear system of information regarding violations. Even people can be rewarded if they correct themselves after violation. When done with the right intention and emotion, people tend to learn.”
Maggie: “Can we use the latest technology to do this?”
Jaggy: “100%. Technology today has improved by leaps and bounds, and it can be used to remind people how to be safe. Because humans need reminding.”
Maggie:” Any last words before you conclude Jaggy?”
Jaggy: “I would say that Safety Thoughts lead to Safety words. Safety Words lead to Safety action. Safety action leads to Safety practice. Safety practice leads to a Safety culture. Have a great Safety week and month Maggie.”
Maggie: “You too Jaggy. Stay Safe and healthy.”
To conclude, I can only say that when we keep safety as the uppermost thing in mind, we can always live a better life. Safety not only physically and mentally but also in the cyber space which has become a part and parcel of our life. The more and more we sweat in peace, the less and less we bleed in war. Take care.
Seshadri Varadarajan.
Author of the Book No one Should Cry When I Die.
Connect with me on Instagram, Linkedin, Facebook.
Email seshadri3225@gmail.com
9840814353.
