Occupational safety management is an increasingly essential part of operational management. Responsibility for implementing practical measures extends from top management to line managers.
In the paper industry, top management of companies and units has taken a prominent role in improving occupational safety in recent years. However, this is not enough.
"Top management must step up to promote occupational safety, for example on the slitter rewinder. Middle management, in turn, must be able to monitor more than just production figures," says an expert from the Finnish Occupational Safety and Health Centre. Markku Tolvanen, who serves as secretary of the Paper Industry Subcommittee.
Line managers – the most important factors in occupational safety for employees – need more support and guidance from senior management to minimize risks, Tolvanen estimates. He also points out the challenge posed by expanded job descriptions and a generation that has a critical attitude towards working life. In the future, all management will be required to focus more and more on job orientation.
You need to react to feedback.
There are endless definitions and qualities for a good manager and leadership. However, leadership is always interactive, and a manager needs feedback from his or her subordinates.
Occupational safety management emphasizes proactive feedback and responding to it.
“Recording near-miss situations or safety observations in general promotes occupational safety, as long as they are responded to quickly,” Tolvanen states.
"In addition to shortcomings, it would be worth highlighting positive things as well. A safety observation could be made if someone voluntarily sands a slippery walkway outside."
From speeches to practice
Today, Finnish paper mills are the workplace of many operators and service providers. Tolvanen emphasizes that the occupational safety culture must be unified in practice and not just on paper and in words.
“The safety of every employee is equally important, regardless of who pays the salary. Everyone working in the same workplace should have the same understanding of safe ways to work.”
The Finnish Occupational Safety and Health Administration is currently developing an assessment of the safety performance of external service providers. It will help the service provider to assess its occupational safety level and promote dialogue between the client and the service provider.
Text: Vesa Ville Mattila
Illustration: Nicola Schaller
The full article can be read in the 4/2012 print edition of Paperi ja Puu magazine.
