A career in health and safety - Toolbox Tuesday

Summary

This video provides valuable insights into the challenges and rewards of working in health and safety. The speaker discusses the common struggles of being underappreciated and misunderstood, particularly the perception of safety officers as 'enforcers' rather than supporters. Key advice includes building trust and relationships within the workplace, as these are critical to effectively communicating safety concerns. The video is aimed at those considering a career in health and safety, offering practical tips for success and encouraging viewers to embrace the field despite its challenges.

Takeaways

• 😀 Health and safety professionals often face a negative perception, being seen as enforcers or 'police officers' rather than supportive figures.
• 😀 Job satisfaction in health and safety can be difficult to achieve because the impact of the work often goes unnoticed, despite the effort behind it.
• 😀 Building trust within the business is crucial for a health and safety professional to be effective in their role.
• 😀 Trust is built over time by being reasonable, practical, and understanding the realities of the work that employees do.
• 😀 It's important to communicate that the goal of health and safety is not to impose rules but to help employees perform their work safely.
• 😀 Developing relationships with employees at all levels, from the shop floor to management, is key to building trust and effectiveness in health and safety.
• 😀 Health and safety professionals should focus on understanding people's needs, concerns, and work environments to influence positive behavior.
• 😀 Open, casual conversations (e.g., over coffee) with workers can help build rapport and uncover important insights about safety concerns.
• 😀 Building trust and relationships makes it easier for health and safety professionals to address critical issues, such as dangerous practices, with credibility.
• 😀 Perceptions of the health and safety profession are unlikely to change overnight, and professionals need to be prepared to face skepticism or resistance.
• 😀 Aspiring health and safety professionals are encouraged to consider the career for its potential to make a real difference in the workplace by preventing accidents and ensuring safety.

Q & A

What is one of the main challenges faced by health and safety professionals in the workplace?

One of the main challenges faced by health and safety professionals is the lack of visible acknowledgment for their efforts, which can lead to frustration and doubts about the impact of their work.

Why is the perception of health and safety professionals often negative?

Health and safety professionals are often perceived as enforcers or 'police officers' who are there to reprimand others, which makes it difficult to form positive relationships within the company.

What role do health and safety professionals actually play in the workplace?

Health and safety professionals are there to guide, coach, and help employees do their jobs safely. They aim to influence behaviors and create a safe working environment, not to simply enforce rules.

What does the 'duck on water' analogy represent in the context of health and safety?

The 'duck on water' analogy represents how health and safety professionals often work behind the scenes, with a lot of effort going unnoticed, while they maintain a calm exterior, despite the hard work happening underneath.

How can health and safety professionals overcome the negative perception of their role?

By focusing on building trust and relationships with the team, health and safety professionals can demonstrate their value as collaborators and advisors rather than enforcers.

Why is building trust important in the role of a health and safety professional?

Building trust is crucial because it allows others to take health and safety professionals' advice seriously. When trust is established, employees are more likely to listen and act on safety guidance when necessary.

How can a health and safety professional build trust within an organization?

Trust is built by being reasonable, practical, and understanding of the work environment. Health and safety professionals need to demonstrate consistent actions over time that reflect their reliability and concern for the well-being of workers.

What is the significance of building relationships in a health and safety career?

Building relationships helps health and safety professionals gain a better understanding of the workplace and the people within it, making it easier to address concerns, resolve issues, and maintain a safe environment.

What is the best approach for health and safety professionals to engage with workers on the shop floor?

A good approach is to engage informally, such as having a cup of tea or coffee with workers, to build rapport. This creates a more approachable atmosphere where workers feel comfortable discussing safety concerns.

What are the top two tips provided for a successful career in health and safety?

The top two tips are: 1) Focus on building trust by being reasonable and practical, and 2) Focus on building relationships within the organization, especially with employees at all levels.