November 25 2018
By: Terry L. Mathis
There is an old adage that a committee is a group of people who, individually, can do nothing but, collectively, can decide that nothing should be done. Safety committees can fall into the trap of discussing but not taking action. This is especially true if the committee is partially or completely made up of line employees. There are great advantages of getting the input from workers, but that great input is only as good as the action that follows.
Committees should always have a direct path to action. That could be a committee or ad hoc member with the authority to take organizational action, or they could report their suggestions to another committee who has such authority. Don't let your committee become a place where good ideas die a slow and painful death. Measure committee performance, not just creative thinking.
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.
