12 May 2004 - Health and Safety Benefits of Directors Going 'Back to the Floor'
Recent research published by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), apparently shows the benefits of directors returning to the shop floor to tackle health and safety issues, thus providing a first-hand experience of how things are really done in reality.
The Society is currently holding its national occupational health and safety congress in Birmingham where Dr Sara Lumley, Director of the National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health, informed the congress of the results of research carried out among 23 RoSPA occupational safety award-winning organisations to study which role board members played in achieving good health and safety performance.
Particular aims were to see whether senior management displayed visible commitment and leadership in undertaking operational health and safety activities or whether they were too remote.
Dr Lumley found that 21 of the organisations carried out “back-to-the-floor” activities including health and safety tours, audits, inspections, risk assessments, accident and incident investigation, unannounced 'crisis' visits and best area competitions.
Dr Sara Lumley, Director of NEBOSH commented:
“Back-to the-floor activities develop a first-hand appreciation of gaps between corporate health and safety rhetoric and real conditions at the workface. They demonstrate strong leadership and visible commitment, not only to policy but also to its effective implementation.
They involve and motivate employees; improve board-level understanding and focus on health and safety; and thus have a valuable role to play in contributing to improved performance.”
