February 1, 2012

In safety, it can sometimes seem like the smartest path is to create a safety rule or procedure and enforce it across the board, regardless of where the hazard actually exists--but in reality, that approach can backfire. Safety rules that don't make sense undermine your safety program and can often make enforcing the sensible rules more difficult.

Here are a couple of areas where those universal rules can get you into trouble.

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1. Everyone must wear [insert your favorite PPE here]: One of the most common areas where employers try to enforce across-the-board rules is personal protective equipment (PPE)--for example, everyone must wear a hard hat or safety shoes. But PPE can create its own hazards, so if there is no hazard, PPE should not be required. This may mean that you have one department wearing hard hats when another is not because only the first department faces overhead hazards. By clearly explaining the purpose behind the hard hat requirement, you can overcome any feelings of disparate treatment.
   
   BUT if you have a PPE requirement for an area, it should apply to everyone who enters the area. This includes transient visitors to the department like managers and office staff. If you have a safety shoe requirement in the packing department, for example, your administrative staff should not regularly waltz through with peep-toe high heels or flip flops.
2. Everyone will do this—with no exceptions: Another problem with universal safety rules can arise when a required safety procedure makes no logical sense in the context of a department's work. In such cases, employees can start generating their own exceptions to the rule--and often to other rules, too.
   
   Safety policies and procedures should be scrutinized on a per-department—and even a per-job--basis to ensure they apply. Where a rule doesn't apply, those responsible for safety management should allow exceptions. Intelligent application of safety policies and procedures gives your employees confidence in your knowledge of their work and the applicability of your safety guidance, making them more likely to follow your procedures.