Rules are so easy to make that safety offices are often accused of being a “Rule Mill” because they continuously produce their rule-of-the month. Why do we create so many rules? One particular cog in our mill that causes us to create rules is incidents. When we suffer an incident we want to throw every tool in the arsenal to keep it from happening again. One of the simplest tactics is to create (yet another) rule. Do you think adding new rules encourage folks to report their minor injuries, close calls, and concerns? The answer is “no.”
Most of us don’t like rules that become overly restrictive. Our employees are the same way. I’ve heard many comments about rules: