December 02 2018
By: Terry L. Mathis
I regularly frequent two restaurants. One is a wood grill with great grilled meat and fish dishes, everything is fresh, locally sourced and made in house. Everything is basic, but exceptional. The other has a name that emotes class and a little mystery and has one of the most talented chefs in this part of the world. Everything there is unique and amazing (and considerably more pricy). To me, these two do not compete with each other but, rather, they complete each other. When I want food quick that is not fast food I go to one, and when I am celebrating or indulging myself, I go to the other.
The vast majority of safety programs I am asked to assess are neither of these. They are high-volume slightly grimy fast food places. Safety orientation is all quantity and no quality; safety training and meetings are checking off the box. Communication from safety leaders is full of platitudes and metrics that mean little to nothing to the average employee. No great basics and no gourmet!
World class safety efforts are like my two restaurants: exceptional basics and amazing opportunities. Daily safety efforts are high quality and regularly served. But, at the top end, there are opportunities to get involved and help the organization reach amazing results.
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.
