Sometimes I think we forget that behavior-based safety emanated from applied behavior analysis. This month I'd like to offer basic guidelines for evaluating the human behavior aspects of a safety problem. Diagnosing (and supporting) behavior should be given equal weight to changing it.
I imagine the EHS population and profile in northwest Ohio is similar to other parts of the country. Would a Y2K meeting planned for this fall go bust elsewhere? If so, then I think there is cause for concern. After all, EHS people should be among the most diligent groups addressing Y2K issues. Health, safety, and the welfare of people are the greatest concerns associated with the Y2K problem.
One Sunday evening this past May I received a very rewarding phone call from a long-time friend and colleague, Mike Hedlesky. For almost a year Mike has been managing the construction of my log lodge, so we have frequent phone conversations. But this phone call was different. Before giving me a progress report, Mike thanked me for possibly saving his life. Then he told me about his freak bicycle crash earlier that day.
Environmental health and safety pros work to protect people nearly every day. While we are trained to prevent injuries, illnesses and environmental damage, no one is perfect, and mistakes and oversights may occur.
No one is keeping track of how many people in safety and health positions are being laid off due to mergers and acquisitions in the business world. But you might identify some disturbing trends if you simply evaluate recent deals in your local area.