The answer to this question has profound implications for how we approach and prioritise safety within our organisations.
The Traditional View: Safety as a Noun
Traditionally, safety has been viewed as a noun – a static concept, a destination to be reached. This perspective has led many organisations to treat safety as a checklist of policies, procedures, and protocols. Once these boxes are ticked, the assumption is that the organisation has achieved "safety."
However, this approach is inherently flawed. Safety is not a fixed state; it's a dynamic, ever-evolving process that requires constant vigilance and adaptation.
The Case for Safety as a Verb
I propose that we shift our mindset and embrace organisational safety as a verb – an active, ongoing process that demands continuous effort and engagement from every member of the organisation.
By embracing organisational safety as a verb, we unlock a world of benefits:
1. Increased Awareness: When safety is an active process, it becomes ingrained in our daily routines and decision-making. We become more attuned to potential risks and more proactive in addressing them.
2. Continuous Improvement: Safety as a verb means that we're never truly "done." We're always seeking ways to enhance our practices, learn from incidents, and implement better solutions.
3. Empowerment and Ownership: When everyone in the organisation embraces safety as a personal responsibility, it fosters a culture of ownership and empowerment. Each individual becomes an active participant in creating a safer environment.
4. Adaptability: The world of work is constantly evolving, and new challenges emerge every day. By treating safety as a verb, we remain agile and adaptable, ready to adjust our practices to meet new demands.
Wrap Up
Organisational safety should be treated as a verb – an active, ongoing process that demands continuous effort and engagement from every member of the organisation. By embracing this mindset, we can create workplaces where safety is not just a checkbox, but a way of life, ingrained in our daily routines and decision-making processes.
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