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Desperate Safety Lives
Despite Different Approaches, Keep Common Goals in Mind
“Life imitates art far more than art imitates life.” — Oscar Wilde
BY MONIQUA SUITS

If life imitates art, how would corporations located on the Desperate Housewives’ Wisteria Lane greet safety for the New Year?

Like the wacky women on that TV show, these corporate neighbors are a diverse group; however, their common bond is being responsible for their company’s safety program.

As we meet those persons responsible for developing, implementing, supporting or changing safety, we will uncover some of the mysteries influencing their decisions. As we compare these characteristics of the show's characters to our own safety programs, identify what elements are similar and/or different and also what you would you change if possible?

Don’t be alarmed if you recognize some of these traits in your own safety program, since a Preventive Action Plan for each Housewife’s character have been included to help your team direct their focus and develop a proactive safety approach.

The Housewives’ Bree Van de Kemp does everything perfect, at least according to her idea of perfect. She uses rules that do not allow for any type of free thinking or deviation from the plan. She developed her game plan based on rules, requirements and specifications that she inherited and sees no reason to update.

Bree’s toolbox is full of sacred cows that are not open to review or change. Her reality of life is developed from her idea of experts and perfection, which can never be achieved. “We’ve never done it that way before” is her typical answer to suggestions that do not meet her realm of experience or propriety.

Bree believes a strict adherence to what is “supposed” to be done will keep life going in an orderly and pleasant fashion, prohibiting mayhem or confusion.

Bree does not allow input from others that are not in line with her way of thinking. She also refuses to believe in behavior outside regulated protocol and finds it impossible people would dare color outside the lines. Bree is more comfortable correcting others than taking a good look at her own house. You may disagree with her; however, it will not change her mind and it is not until her rules precipitate such a high degree of devastation that she will consider another way of thinking and looking at a situation.

Preventive Plan of Action: We incorporate OSHA Regulations along with NSI Standards, Industry Best Safety Practices to update our safety knowledge and practices. Our company encourages
innovative thinking and considers comments for implementation.

The next house we visit is that of Susan Mayer who goes to extraordinary lengths for her cause, whether necessary or not. She complicates the simplest of issues and is proficient at
making mountains out of molehills. An intelligent person, Susan insists on wearing rose colored glasses 24/7 and refuses to look at the practicalities or realities of a situation.

Although the head of her household, she is highly influenced by others and quick to take on a cause and change her mind at the drop of a hat, if it does not quickly generate the results she believes it should. Susan tends to make the same mistakes over, and over, and over again
with the same results, much to her astonishment.

She does not preplan activities and is downright perplexed when something is missing or does not work out as anticipated.

Preventive Plan of Action: Similarly, a company may preplan overall corporate safety policies and procedures, as well as site specific and project work activities. Safety procedures are clearly thought out and communicated to all team members.

Next we meet Lynette Scavo – likeable, hard-working, smart and practical; it is her tunnel vision that is her Achilles Heel. An excellent planner, Lynette sees the task at hand, but is unable to incorporate or consider the variety of components needed to complete the project.

She believes her role is the most important and the contributions of everyone else are somehow inadequate in comparison.

Lynette politely browbeats and turns information inside out if convenient to supporting her cause. She is quick on her feet, and, if you’re in her way, look out.

Preventive Plan of Action: The corresponding company conducts regular forums for employees to share how safety is working for them – pros and cons. It interviews staff to identify the safety issues affecting their current and foreseeable work activities, and encourages staff to share the success and challenges of their safety activities.

Gabrielle Solis has it all – good looks and a quick thinking mind. She is a classic manipulator and does not give up until she has her own way. Gabrielle believes a past track record is sufficient to carry her through life and does not consider updating her knowledge to be of major importance,because if she doesn’t know about a topic, it is deemed unimportant. It doesn’t matter if her ideas are not solid; Gabrielle believes they should be accomplished because, well, they are her ideas. She acts regardless of how it will impact others and gives little consideration to how others may feel.

Preventive Plan of Action: The company sends staff to safety conferences on a regular basis and holds a debriefing after each conference so team members share what was learned. A plan of action is developed from those meetings so new ideas and information can be incorporated
into the safety program. Safety materials reflect the most current requirements, and advanced training programs.

Keeping staff safe is the common vision and commitment and decisions are based on those safety values to make certain safety is paramount in our work.

The final character Edie Britt is highly committed…to those things that serve her best. She wins at any cost and sincerely believes others should be willing to sacrifice for her benefit, although
she would be the last to reciprocate.

She thoroughly analyzes situations before committing to a cause and will jump ship if an idea looks as though it is going to crash and burn – even if it is the right decision. In a group she
quickly sets the direction and challenges anyone opposing her ideas. She will work harder to sabotage an idea or person, not seeing how all her hard work could have been used to advance the group’s direction.

Preventive Plan of Action: The company does not confuse bullies with leaders. Managers consider all the factors in making safety decisions and clearly communicate the direction to all versus relying on word of mouth. It works with the Three Rules of Win/Win: Clear understanding of the purpose of the issue; Commit to a common goal which serves all; and Accountability
and enforcement.

The common thread to all these characteristics is a ‘desperate’ approach versus a balanced attitude to safety. For the New Year, identify what moved your safety program forward and the issues holding it back. With this information, prepare a game plan to strengthen or change your
company’s safety focus. As you read through this article, make two columns on a sheet of paper and write the “desperate” traits on one side then turn them into positives on the other side.

Perfection can be converted to dedication, tunnel vision to tenacity and a quick changing mind to innovation. Incorporate the positive traits from your team – dedication, innovation, commitment, passion and tenacity to move forward with your safety program.

Forge new ground for your company and its staff, versus a sole reliance on what’s been done before. Encourage new thinking and dedicate time to plan a proactive approach. Although there isn’t one solution to safety, there is a common vision – keeping our teams safe. FSM
Moniqua Suits is chief learning leader for Safety through Engineering, Inc., an engineering, safety and training consulting firm. She can be reached at www.ste4u.com or 937.964.1900.