misconception  is  that  safety  is  an  isolated  topic  pursued by specialists and misunderstood by line management. That is true to the extent that managers have either ignored  or  been  unaware  of  safety  procedures  or  have chosen to take risks without considering the impact on the total operation. As a manager, you must accurately assess the impact of your decision on the organization and its goals. You must know what steps to take to incorporate safety procedures and processes into the management process. If you decide to take risks, you must do so with full knowledge of the expected impact. · Safety is economical. Absolute safety might be achieved  by  doing  nothing,  but  safety  by  definition  is associated  with  the  pursuance  of  some  endeavor, industry,  activity,  or  operation.  Therefore,  safety  and risk management are part of any operation, whether consciously  or  unconsciously  invoked  by  management. Safety  specialists  must  advise  management/supervisors of how safety will enhance productivity, operational effectiveness,  morale,  and  “safe  time”  in  achieving organizational  goals. · First-line supervisors are essential to safety SOH  management  can  be  enhanced  by  safety management  principles  and  safety  policy  statements. You can enhance the safety and occupational health of your  unit  by  observing  safety  management  principles and  safety  policy  statements.  Organizations  should publish these items as a guide for managers, supervisors, and  workers.  The  actions,  processes,  evaluations,  and corrections prompted by the safety staff, and used by managers,  supervisors,  and  workers,  must  incorporate safety  management  techniques. You may find the following SOH principles useful: · Good   management   fosters   safety.   Safety management is the part of the management process that watches for and takes steps to prevent potential hazards and  failures  which  could  result  in  injury  and  property damage.  Safety  is  that  part  of  the  decision-making process   which   considers   the   effects   on   workers, material,  and  organizational  relationships. · Safety  is  part  of  the  professional  job.  SOH concepts and procedures need to be integrated and made part of the professional approach to every job from top management through the first-line supervisor to the worker. SOH should be integrated into all training and apprentice  programs.  Safety  demands  cooperation among all levels of management and workers. · Top  management  and  command  must  be involved.  Top  management  must  take  the  lead  in organizing   SOH,   setting   policy,   and   assigning accountability. Management must hold intermediate management  levels  accountable  for  all  preventable mishaps.  To  be  effective,  mishap  investigators  MUST NOT  convict  or  punish  managers,  supervisors,  or workers, but should strive to impartially assess the evidence and develop recommendations to avoid future mishaps. The cause of a mishap may not be the result of one single event or design flaw. Management must work toward a safe and healthful operation or system through effective  managerial  methods management.  First-line  supervisors,  shop  foremen, work  center  supervisors,  and  leading  petty  officers  need time to present stand-up safety briefings. They must also have  the  proper  tools  and  personal  protective  devices  to safely   conduct   operations.   They   should   be   given adequate  resources  and  should  be  accountable  for  the safe conduct of production and operation. · Eliminate unsafe acts to reduce mishaps. An unsafe  act,  an  unsafe  condition,  or  a  mishap  is  a symptom  of  problems  in  the  management  system. Managers  and  supervisors  should  examine  these symptoms  to  find  and  eliminate  their  causes. · Severe mishaps should receive first priority. Certain  unsafe  circumstances  can  be  predicted  and controlled.  The  following  are  some  examples: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Unusual,  nonroutine  activities Nonproductive  activities High-energy  sources Catastrophic  conditions Explosive  operations Lack  of  proper  supervision Inadequate  operator  skill You should manage SOH as you would any other organizational  function.  Direct  the  safety  effort  by setting  achievable  goals  and  by  planning,  organizing, and  controlling  to  achieve  them.  Workers  must participate in goal setting and in developing mishap prevention  strategies  and  actions  to  reduce  injuries  and material  losses. · The safety officer fills a staff position. The SOH staff  or  the  safety  professional  is  an  advisor.  The manager is responsible for safety and safe decision making,  including  loss  control  and  risk  management. The  safety  advisor  must  monitor  and  assist  in  the investigation  of  mishaps.  He  or  she  collects  data; 5-5