Safety Knights

Can you actually fix everything? I feel that safety is a fluid process that neither comes to completion or is ever done. Though it can get monotonous if you have things running smoothly, I feel. (I have not even come close to this...that is my thoughts.... my workplace is a hot mess)

Caution. If things are running so smoothly that you believe everything is “fixed” then I would suggest you look again. Look in corners and under rugs. If, as you say everything is fixed then break something so you can make it better.
Could it be your just bored?

Lol I doubt most of us have ever reached that point (at least I certainly haven’t), but I would say if you feel like you can’t make any more progress then it’s time to get a better job

I think if you think you've 'fixed everything', you're deluding yourself lol.


There's always something going on under the surface. I'd check out those JSAs, audits, inspections and make sure they're not just being pencil-whipped and they're actually getting into the full depth of processes.

For safety meetings/committees, encouraging more employees to participate and/or lead them.

Look at your current processes and programs - where can they be improved? Are you adhering to them properly? How can your training be improved, content-wise, delivery-wise? What are people on the floor asking for?

That being said, if you feel stagnant in your position and like nothing is moving and/or people aren't willing to truly scrutinize the current state, moving on might be a good idea.

That's the same thing as saying safety is perfect. If you are at this point its time to dig deeper into standards and conduct more observations at work sites, trainings etc. Something is always broken or needs tweaking so don't fool yourself.

Fix everything?! Brother I was in manufacturing. The first 20 in Automotive and the last 26 in heavy metals, machining, and assembly! After spending the fist 7 years of my career as a Supervisor and General Foreman (in a Foundry) I had a very rough time working in an office for more than a few minutes. Offices are boring compared to being out where the action is! Brother you have not lived unless you have seen them slag and tap (pour) 20 tons of molten iron (at 3200 degrees) into a holding furnace and to see it spring a leak! Few things are more dangerous but yet more beautiful at the same time. Constant Adrenaline Rush! Offices were just tough for me after that! The other thing I loved about manufacturing is it was never ever boring! There were always priorities, problems, and issues to address! Fixed Everything huh? Cannot imagine.
From my perspective there is always waste. Waste usually comes from human behavior one way or the other. That is why I think scrap is like accidents. Fixed Everything you say?
As I tell my students there is only one place where scrap is never made, or no injury ever occurred. That is in God's Big Foundry in the Sky! All this does not mean we shouldn't always work towards that end! In the stiving we can come very close, but "Fix Everything"? I am afraid not!

That is not possible. When equipment is protected safety mats wear out or human error leaves a guard off. Safety culture is an on going process. People get in a rush and take short cuts. Safety is an ongoing process.

There's always room for continuous improvement, finding better ways of doing things you're already doing etc