Page 21 - Nov/Dec Vol34 No5

Therefore, cars must be slowed down, and Integrate HR from page 19
intersections must be designed for safe
crossing. People drive as fast as the street time to train employees and takes them
design indicates, and narrower lanes and away from everyday tasks. However,
more distractions cause drivers to pay a targeted, high quality training and
closer attention and move more slowly. development program can pay enor-
Encompassing several aspects of safety, mous dividends in terms of increased
the influential Jane Jacobs promoted “eyes employee productivity, knowledge and
on the street” in order to make neighbor- skills. Because time and resources are so ment. A successful health and safety
hoods safe. More people enjoying time on valuable, if an employer is going to make program in Public Works is not hard
the street means there are more potential a commitment to training and develop-
witnesses to a crime, which discour- ment, they should be highly selective
ages its taking place at all. As Whyte and and focused on quality. A quality pro-
Jacobs suggest, people listening to music, gram includes a balanced mix of topics
reading signage, discussing public art or a encompassing professional develop-
water feature, and eating at a café all work ment, personal development and the
together to keep streets interactive, social, development of specific skills. Employ-
and safe. ers would be well advised to cultivate
in-house trainers as much as possible so
Public Works can initiate live, work, and that limited training dollars can go to
play neighborhoods through streetscape where they are most needed and can do
design and begin to see the economic the most good. In terms of maximizing
and social value of these projects. This value and high quality content, there are departments. Regular “Toolbox Talks”
valuable asset sets the stage for a holistic few options that are superior to our own
environment that can attract individu- Tennessee Public Works Institute, for
als and companies alike. In the words of example.
Janette Sadik-Khan, former commissioner Health and Safety
of the New York City Department of
Transportation, “Streets are some of the Proficiency in the area of health and
most valuable resources that a city has, safety should come naturally to Public
and yet it’s an asset that’s largely hidden in Works leaders due to the dangerous
plain sight.”
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nature of the work that is done. However, 2016 CONFERENCE TECHNICAL SESSION
sometimes it can be taken for granted as
people become accustomed or desen-
sitized to the hazards to which they are
exposed. It is important to remember that
health and safety is not just a poster on
a wall but is a mindset and culture that
should permeate the workplace environ-
to build. It does not require expensive
expertise, a major financial commitment,
or any other dramatic action. What it
does require is a commitment to making
health and safety a routine and common-
place feature of the workday.
There is no single silver bullet for
creating a successful health and safety
program. Successful programs often
feature a wide variety of different initia-
tives tailored to fit the needs of different
about safety, formal OSHA training,
posters, designating top employees as
on-the-job mentors or trainers, incen-
tives to recognize safe employees and
crews, the creation of an employee
health and safety committee, and many
other programs when combined can
create a workplace culture that embodies
health and safety.
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