| What the word VALUE mean? If we say that | | | | regulatory requirements you will find that the |
| Safety is a Value, what does this mean? The | | | | Occupational Safety and Health Administration's |
| dictionary defines VALUE as a principle, standard | | | | main objective as spelled out is: To assure safe |
| or quality considered worthwhile or desirable, a | | | | and healthful working conditions for working men |
| family value. The dictionary defines a priority as a | | | | and women. |
| precedence established by order of importance or | | | | Even the Occupational Safety and Health |
| urgency. Which should you chose? | | | | Administration recognizes that physical compliance |
| If you use the VALUE definition, you are sending | | | | with safety requirements alone will not eliminate |
| a message that safety is important and will not | | | | injuries. It is an impossible task for the |
| be compromised. As the business needs change, | | | | Occupational Safety and Health Administration to |
| so will the needs and focus of safety. However, if | | | | attempt to write safety regulations that will |
| safety is considered a value it will always be | | | | address every possible or potential hazard in the |
| present. Another good question that should be | | | | workplace. This is the reason that some |
| considered is: why does a company need a | | | | requirements are written as performance-based. |
| Safety program? Is it because the Occupational | | | | Therefore, management must interpret these |
| Safety and Health Administration requires it or do | | | | performance-based standards and compliance |
| you just want to do the right thing? The basic | | | | initiatives and apply then appropriately in the |
| purpose of any safety program is to help prevent | | | | workplace. This can be done by strictly following |
| injuries. I do not know the reference for this, but | | | | the letter of the law or making good |
| I have heard the following statement before and I | | | | management decisions that meet the |
| think that it fits nicely here: Managers do things | | | | requirements and provide a best management |
| right, Leaders do the right thing. | | | | practice for the business. |
| If you were to look at the objective of | | | | |