What Type Of Safety Manager Are You?
No two safety managers are alike. Each has a unique set of responsibilities and a distinct approach. When it comes to their leadership style, however, most fall into one of three categories. Psychologist Kurt Lewin conducted studies on group dynamics and identified three basic types of leaders. He believed each leadership style had inherent strengths and weaknesses that could influence the direction of the company. No one style is necessarily better, but some styles are more effective in certain situations. Understanding your style can help you identify what you’re doing well on the job and how you can improve. So, what type of safety manager are you? Take this quiz to find out.
- 1.Your company has hired contractors for hydrodemolition, a procedure your team has never done before. They’ll be here for the next three days. How do you make sure the contractors meet your site’s safety standards?
- A.
Meet with the project manager prior to their arrival and lay down the law. Ask for a detailed plan of the process, and be sure he understands the penalties for violating your rules.
- B.
Clear your schedule for the next three days. You’ll need to monitor the project closely to ensure a safe, event-free execution. (Besides, you want a front seat to the action and a chance to take lots of photos!)
- C.
Designate a representative from your team to act as a liaison for the contractors, and check in as needed.
- 2.You learn one of your third-shift workers fell 10 feet from a ladder, rupturing his spleen. Work has resumed while he recovers in the hospital. What’s the first thing you do the next morning?
- A.
Survey the site and start calling witnesses to question them about what happened. You need to get to the bottom of this before lunchtime.
- B.
Send a “get well” card to the hospital.
- C.
Ask your third-shift supervisor to start an investigation so you can submit your report to OSHA within 24 hours.
- 3.You discover an open bucket of an unlabeled chemical was left behind from the previous shift. How do you respond?
- A.
You check the schedule to find out who was working in that area and issue a written warning to the responsible party.
- B.
You check with your chemistry manager for an analysis of the substance, discover it’s just degreaser and move on after properly disposing of it.
- C.
You post signs to remind workers about the importance of chemical safety and good housekeeping.
- 4.Which of these sayings do you find to be most true in your workplace?
- A.
Give a man an inch, and he’ll take a mile.
- B.
Many hands make light work.
- C.
Surround yourself with the best people you can find, delegate authority and don’t interfere.
- 5.What complaint are you most likely to overhear from your workers?
- A.
"This place has so many rules, it’s hard to get anything done."
- B.
"I can’t find anything around here."
- C.
"The managers are clueless — we just have to fend for ourselves."
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