August 18 2019
By: Terry L. Mathis
SIFs (Serious Injuries/Fatalities) are the kind of injury that does the most damage and are the type we should most diligently prevent. But who is preventing them? Just management and safety personnel? Are you simply trying to make rules and procedures that eliminate serious risks or are you arming the workforce, the culture, and your existing safety programs with the right information and techniques to get them actively engaged in the efforts to prevent them?
Awareness and communication are not enough to get workers engaged, but those are the tools most relied upon by leaders. SIFs are often multi-dimensional in their causation, but they also have early-warning commonalities that need to be recognized and addressed before they progress to more serious situations or disasters. Ask your leaders, "What is our strategy to prevent SIFs?" Then have them ask your workers, "Do you know and follow our strategy?"
Terry Mathis, Founder and retired CEO of ProAct Safety, has served as a consultant and advisor for top organizations the world over. A respected strategist and thought leader, Terry has authored five books, numerous articles, videos and blogs, and is known for his dynamic and engaging presentations. EHS Today has named him one of the '50 People Who Most Influenced EHS' four consecutive times. Business leaders and safety professionals seek Terry's practical insight and unique ability to introduce new perspectives that lead to real change.
