It’s my experience that companies with a great safety program also invest in consultants. There is a good precedent for this. Even competent safety teams often see things from one perspective. They learn to seek particular problems and at times can miss even the most obvious problems. As a safety consultant, I never think that I know more than others. Safety professionals are my colleagues and never fail to teach me new information. However, I recognize how valuable my eye can be.
Many times, I walk through a site and observe apparent safety issues. Why hasn’t anyone noticed them? It is not because of phenomenal detection skills. The simple fact: my experience and knowledge clearly reveal some issues to me. On occasion, while walking through a site, colleagues surprise me with their observations somehow unseen to me.
Consultants assist companies to improve because they are separate from company culture. Because they are not trained by the company, consultants view matters from a different angle. As a result, I uncover hazards that would likely be overlooked by a safety team accustomed to examining dangers in a certain way.
I have also discovered that after a while, company superintendents and safety people learn my viewpoint and adjust to it. When I’m on site and to perform an audit, the inspection looks fantastic from my vantage point. This satisfies me; my view is a safe working environment. However, it would be naïve of me to believe that my performance is perfect. Therefore, my practice is to send another team member to audit the site from a contrasting view.
If your company needs help to develop or perfect a safety program, training, or just a pair of good eyes, it is always an honor for me to have a meaningful conversation with you. Why not give me a call and see what Archway can do for you?
