This website requires certain cookies to work and uses other cookies to help you have the best experience. By visiting this website, certain cookies have already been set, which you may delete and block. By closing this message or continuing to use our site, you agree to the use of cookies. Visit our updated privacy and cookie policy to learn more.
This Website Uses Cookies
By closing this message or continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Learn More
This website requires certain cookies to work and uses other cookies to help you have the best experience. By visiting this website, certain cookies have already been set, which you may delete and block. By closing this message or continuing to use our site, you agree to the use of cookies. Visit our updated privacy and cookie policy to learn more.
ISHN logo
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
ISHN logo
  • Home
  • Magazine
    • Current Issue
    • Digital Editions
    • Archives
    • Buyer's Guide
    • Subscribe
  • Topics
    • Environment
    • Environmental Health and Safety
    • Government Regulations
    • Health
    • Industrial Hygiene
    • Occupational Safety
    • PPE
    • Product Case Studies
    • Psychology
    • Safety Culture
    • Training
    • Transportation Safety
    • More Topics
  • Construction
  • Oil & Gas
  • Columns
    • Editorial Comments
    • Best Practices
    • Positive Cultures
    • Training Strategies
    • Closing Time
    • FR Protection
    • Thought Leadership
  • Products
  • Conventions
    • Convention Companion
  • Multimedia
    • eBooks
    • Infographics
    • Photo Galleries
    • ISHN Podcasts
    • Your Digital Mentor Podcasts
    • Videos
    • Webinars
    • White Papers
    • ISHN YouTube Videos
  • More
    • Awards
      • 2020 Readers' Choice Awards- Submit Products
    • eNewsletters
    • Events
    • ISHN Store
    • Product Case Studies
    • Product Innovations
    • Showrooms
    • Vendor News
  • Advertise
    • Contact
Home » Blogs » Thought Leadership » Values – Strategies and safety excellence
Williamsen2-pic1

Mike Williamsen, Ph.D., is with Caterpillar Safety Services | Caterpillar Inc. A safety consultant with 30+ years of business change-management experience, Mike has worked with for companies such as Frito-Lay, Inc., General Dynamics, and Standard Oil. He earned his Ph.D. in business at Columbia Southern University.

Safety Culture

Values – Strategies and safety excellence

Thought Leadership
August 26, 2014
Mike Williamsen Ph.D., CSP
Reprints

Thought LeadershipProviding a published document that states the organization’s values is a common business practice for many companies. This values document, in turn, should lead to strategies that help establish a culture that lives and delivers these values. Many times, employee safety is a stated value.  

I think many of us have experienced stated safety values that are not strongly practiced or enforced in the real, front-line operations culture.

There are some companies I have worked with that professed ‘zero harm,’ had great safety policies and procedures, but lived a noticeably flawed production culture at the work face. Then, there are other organizations that talk about how important front-line safety is but have no mention of safety in their values statement. Consequently, they seem to have a weaker safety reality where their employees are most at risk.

The values statements are intended to influence upper level management on issues such as communication and decision-making that drives the delivery of the values across the whole organization. These typically come into play on a regular basis, but should also play a noticeable role in difficult decisions. When push comes to shove, tough circumstances need to be guided by values instead of what is expedient. It sometimes seems like these higher risk events cave into the pressures of operational demands when the going gets tough.

What variables make it hard to deliver and comply with the stated values in your organization? How do these values influence your corporate strategies? Can you describe a time when the ideals/beliefs/values were disregarded to maintain team unanimity? How did the situation ultimately turn out? How has this affected both your organization’s and your own personal realities? How will such an event affect you and your actions in the future?

Recent Comments

In addition to the personal hardship and loss...

No one will know the answer to this...

Bad drivers don't have to ruin your day...

Healthcare workers face a number of serious safety...

In my experience, truck drivers are treated with...

Williamsen2-pic1

Mike Williamsen, Ph.D., is with Caterpillar Safety Services | Caterpillar Inc. A safety consultant with 30+ years of business change-management experience, Mike has worked with for companies such as Frito-Lay, Inc., General Dynamics, and Standard Oil. He earned his Ph.D. in business at Columbia Southern University.

Subscribe For Free!
  • Digital Edition Subscriptions
  • ISHN eNewsletter & Other eNews Alerts
  • Online Registration
  • Subscription Customer Service

More Videos

Popular Stories

Today's News

2 young part-time UPS workers killed in California

Today's News

Steel worker injured at Indiana plant

crystal ball

Safety and health trends for 2020

Tesla

Report finds worker injuries are “routine” at Tesla’s Nevada plant

Lendlease

Humorous workplace safety campaign features mothers

ISHN Readers' Choice Awards 2020 product submissions


Events

March 7, 2019

Safety and Wellness: The Combination that Drives Engagement and Profitability

On Demand Attend this webinar for the keys to success, as well as mistakes to avoid, when targeting safety and wellness with a Recognition & Reward Program.

View All Submit An Event

ISHN Podcasts


ISHN Podcasts

ISHN Magazine

ISHN1219_cover.jpg

2019 December

Among the articles in the December 2019 issue of ISHN Magazine, we have expert insight on selecting the right respirator, a link to the 2020 Buyers’ & Resource Guide, 10 safety mistakes that can land you in a courtroom, and much more.
View More Create Account
  • Resources
    • List Rental
    • Safety A-Z
    • Custom Content & Marketing Services
    • Market Research
    • Web Exclusives
    • Privacy Policy
  • Want More
    • Connect
    • Subscribe
    • Survey And Sample

Copyright ©2019. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing