#020 – How Do You Manage a Safety Team of One?

When every other department in your organization has a lot of people, but you only have one safety manager, how do you manage your team?

Knowing that, you need to consider the following to get it all done and preserve your sanity as a safety management team of one.

Step 1: Eliminate tasks you shouldn’t be doing. Question everything on your list – why am I doing it, what am I expecting to get out of it, is it meeting that result? If it doesn’t take it off the list.

Step 2: Batch your tasks based on similarities (type, day of the week, etc.) so that you can get all of those similar tasks completed at the same time. Then, look for ways that you can simplify further. Do you actually need to complete that task with the same frequency you’ve been used to?

Step 3: Leverage other employees. Use your safety committee, safety champions, program owners, etc. Look at the tasks that you need to complete and ask if you have to complete that task yourself or if someone else can take responsibility for that item.

So, how do you implement these items? Listen to the episode and I’ll give you my strategies for success!

Take Action

If you are running a solo show as the entire safety manager team, what methods do you need to implement today to better manage your time and efficiency? Consider how you can streamline your processes and what you might choose to delegate to members of your safety committee.

Highlights From This Episode:

• Pareto’s Principle
• Batching tasks
• Leveraging employees
• The downfall of task switching

Links Mentioned:

• Get on the list and get a FREE idea book: 5 Surprising Ways to Make Employees Crazy for Safety at http://www.thesafetygeek.com/5ways
• The Safety Geek Squad Facebook Page

NOW IT’S YOUR TURN

I’d love to hear how you will implement these strategies in your workplace. Leave a comment below and let me know.

Also – will you share this content with your BSF (best safety friend)? He or she will thank you!