EDITOR ’ S CHOICE SAFETY CULTURE
UPM COMMUNICATION PAPERS
Prioritising workplace safety in an unstable world
By Anu Ahola , Senior Vice President Operations , UPM Communication Papers
Manufacturing comes with its set of hazards and controlling those hazards to keep employees safe on the job can be challenging . Each year , nearly three million workers die due to occupational accidents and diseases , and hundreds of millions more suffer non-fatal injuries at work , according to the latest report of the UN agency in the occasion of World Day for Safety and Health at Work 2022 .
The disruption caused by COVID-19 catapulted businesses and managers into unknown territories . It has therefore become critical to keep an eye on the future and develop a strong safety culture now , in order to face tomorrow ’ s challenges .
EVERYONE MUST BE ON BOARD Workplace safety is extremely important for every industry because employees both desire and are entitled to work in a safe and well protected environment . It is an integral part of any operational system . Ultimately , it is essential for all industries to adapt and prioritise health and safety principles in order to promote the wellbeing of both employers and employees .
However , ensuring that rules and regulations are followed to protect your workers is sometimes easier said than done . We , as employers , are asking a lot from our workers : they have to place safety first and at the same time , efficiency .
And safety is an everyday job : the bottom line is being relentless in pursuing flawless operations . We all have to follow a lot of standard operating procedures that require a great dose of discipline from every worker involved . And everyone must be on board , otherwise it won ’ t work . We know that if one employee alone doesn ’ t follow one of the safety rules , it can affect the entire team and potentially have disastrous repercussions on the whole operational chain .
That ’ s why having a great safety culture is so important . Building a resilient safety culture within an organisation is one of the biggest challenges which Safety Managers have to contend with , but if you can get your workers on board and actively involved with health and safety , it will not only enable you to meet your legal obligations effectively , but also lower injury and fatality rates and improve employee wellbeing . Prioritising it as a company-wide effort can certainly be an ongoing effort , but it ’ s a policy that can reap huge rewards and successes when it becomes part of a company ’ s DNA .
THE IMPORTANCE OF A POSITIVE APPROACH TO SAFETY The mission is to achieve zero accidents , but I believe it can only happen with a positive approach to safety . Companies have to shift away from a safety culture of blame and avoidance , where workers behave safely only if they ’ re made to feel like they have to , to a culture where employees are encouraged to take personal ownership over safety and understand the importance of choosing to engage in safe behaviours – A culture where safety practices , observations and innovation in the area of safety is celebrated .
We know that encouraging a positive safety culture starts with strong employee leadership roles , who can then present these practices in a concise and thorough way to ensure all workers apply policies in a consistent way throughout the company . This , in turn , can ensure good industrial relations within a team . It is a group responsibility to help protect our people and environment . By putting good practices in place to manage safety , it will help reduce the number of injuries in the workplace .
The latest UN report on the topic , titled Enhancing social dialogue towards a culture of safety and health , found that during the pandemic , governments that prioritised active participation of employers ’ and workers ’ organizations in OSH governance , were able to develop and implement emergency laws , policies , and interventions . Collaboration and communication are crucial to ensuring new measures are both acceptable to , and supported by , employers and workers , meaning they are more likely to be effectively implemented in practice . At UPM , we actively involve all employees in every aspect of safety with companywide efforts , but also locally at the mills and offices , where safety is an integral part of the daily work . ENHANCING ORGANISATIONS ’ RESILIENCE Prioritising safety not only prevents injuries , but also builds morale and improves overall employee health . Many studies show that it also helps attract and recruit the best employees . A good health and safety record is a source of competitive advantage : it attracts partnerships , builds trust in your reputation and brand and secures longterm benefits for you , your business and the wider community . However , companies need to understand that while success must be celebrated , there is always room for some improvement . Putting in place systems for continuous development will not only ensure the safety of employees , but also enhance organisations ’ resilience in an unstable world .
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Issue 59 PECM 21