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March 09 Issue - Employee Monthly Magazine
My View
Marilyn Peabody: Creating a strong safety culture
Photo by Richard Robinson Through its Voluntary Protection Program (VPP), the Laboratory two years ago set up a system to encourage workers to get personally involved in safety. These Worker Safety and Security Teams (WSST) have brought about tremendous improvements in safety and generated an ever-increasing commitment to safety from Lab workers.
As we enter our third year, I am excited by the opportunity as new chair of the institutional WSST to continue this progress. Among our 10 safety goals, recently adopted by senior management, is the intent to increase the visibility of division WSSTs, expand our manager and worker involvement in safety, and employ a more systematic and integrated approach to safety and accident analysis, as set out by the Human Performance Initiative.
To do this, each month we'll roll out a new focus for safety-from our winter campaign of ice scrapers, bag tags, and personal deicer cups to yearly calendars with safety topics and tips and more concentrated attention on stair safety, electrical safety, recycling, and other topics. This year, we also are planning influential speakers and community events to keep safety always on employee minds.
March will be an especially important time, when our trained WSST leaders will conduct a Labwide safety self-assessment. This assessment is part of a larger Laboratory effort to achieve VPP Star status, a highly sought-after Department of Energy recognition of the best in class for safety and Occupational Safety and Health Administration compliance.
I strongly believe safety is a team effort. Through VPP, the WSSTs lay the groundwork for a safety culture. On the institutional level, managers are increasing their commitment to safety, and WSST leaders are being trained in the principles of best safety practices. At the division level, the WSSTs are working to engage employees in safe work practices, increase safety awareness, and recognize and reward excellence in safety.
Only as a team, looking out for each other both at work and at home, can we create a strong and productive culture of safety.
--Marilyn Peabody, Stockpile Manufacturing and Support Directorate, Institutional WSST chair
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