Whitepaper by Greg Webb, "Rethinking how to design safety programs," adapted from October 2016 Silvey One Line newsletter, an Aubrey Silvey Enterprises Inc. publication. Silvey is a construction company that provides substations for utility companies. Find more information at www.silvey.com

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T h e S a f e t y N e t
Safety programs are built around three words: What, How, and Why. The “What” could be con-
sidered our company safety goals. Our company goal is always to have zero employee injuries,
zero equipment damages, and Zero property damages. Simply saying these things are goals,
without being concerned about the people we work with, is nothing more than words.
Secondly, “How” do we prove our concern for our employees? It is answered by continuously
improving our safety programs. We must ensure that we are always using the best practices in
our industry to keep our workforce from injury. It is also important to be aware of the hazards
associated with the tasks that are performed to complete our jobs. This requires us to assess the
hazards we are exposed to and how we insulate or isolate our employees from these hazards. By
assessing these hazards, we will be able to develop Standard Operating Procedures and training
programs to reiterate the concern we have for all employees.
Finally, “Why” do we concern ourselves with the What or the How? PEOPLE. First and foremost,
without people, there is no company. This cannot be more important to any company than to
one that is totally owned by the employees, as ours is. As owners and employees, we have to take
care of each other. We are all here to earn a living for our families. We cannot earn a living or
keep our company as profitable as it is without having a well-trained, well-equipped, and cared-
for team of employees.
In regards to safety, let’s ask ourselves: What do we do? How do we do it? And above all, Why do
we do it?
SAFETY IS ABOUT PEOPLE, NOT NUMBERS.
“People do not buy WHAT you say
or do; people buy WHY you do it.”
By Greg Webb, Corporate Safety Director
Rethinking how to design safety programs