Establishing and Maintaining Effective Supervision

Arnold Betzema, CRSP

Program Manager, Enform SK

IntroductionArnold Betzema, CRSP

Prior life - 7+ years Safety Coordinator private oil producer

20+ years mining/supervising/construction/surveying

Supervisor

• Define a Supervisor with less than 3 Words ???

• Good Terms – Poor Terms - Respect?

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Possible AnswersBoss

Leader

Communicator

Mediator

Conflict Manger

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Key Points• ROLES – LEGISLATION CHANGE

(Employer – Supervisor – Worker)

• LEADERSHIP

• COMMUNICATION

• RESOURCES – TOOLS - TECHNIQUES

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Saskatchewan Employment ActThe new “Saskatchewan Employment Act 2013” has

been passed to replace the old act – published - April 2014All relevant information from the old Act has been put in the new

ActPart III of the new Saskatchewan Employment Act is labeled

Occupational Health and Safety – starts on pg 66

Part IV– Saskatchewan Employment Act, refers to appeals

Part V - Saskatchewan Employment Act , refers to radiation safety

Responsibilities - Employer 1/2

Safety in the Workplace/Rights and Responsibilities – Summary in layman’s terms:

• Provide a healthy and safe workplace;• Establish and maintain an effective health and safety program in cooperation

with the occupational health committee (OHC);• Ensure that managers and supervisors are trained, supported, and held

accountable for fulfilling their workplace health and safety requirements;• Oversee the health and safety performance of their managers and

supervisors;• Ensure workers have the information, training, certification, supervision, and

experience to do their jobs safelyhttp://www.saskatchewan.ca/work/safety-in-the-workplace/safety-rights-and-responsibilities-in-the-workplace

Responsibilities - Employer 2/2

Safety in the Workplace/Rights and Responsibilities – Summary in layman’s terms:

• Keep OHC/OHS representative meeting minutes on file and readily available;

• Ensure workers are not exposed to harassment in the workplace• Ensure that legal health and safety requirements are met.

Employers are also required to have a copy of The Saskatchewan Employment Act and regulations readily available to workers and

management.http://www.saskatchewan.ca/work/safety-in-the-workplace/safety-rights-and-responsibilities-in-the-workplace

Saskatchewan Employment Act

Important Addition/ Role of Supervisor is now defined.

Definition: From Employment Act – Part III

3‑1(1) In this Part and in Part IV:

dd) “supervisor” means an individual who is authorized by an employer to oversee or direct the work of the employer’s worker;

Supervisors• Under The Saskatchewan Employment Act,:• 3‑9 Every supervisor shall:

• (a) ensure, insofar as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety at work of all workers who work under the supervisor’s direct supervision and direction;

Supervisors Safety in the Workplace/Rights and Responsibilities – Summary in layman’s terms:• Understand and ensure compliance with workplace health and

safety requirements;

• Co-operate with the occupational health committee, ensure that it functions properly, and ensure all workers support the committee

http://www.saskatchewan.ca/work/safety-in-the-workplace/safety-rights-and-responsibilities-in-the-workplace

Supervisors Safety in the Workplace/Rights and Responsibilities – Summary in layman’s terms:• Make sure hazards are identified and proper steps are taken to

eliminate the hazards or how to safely protect the worker from the hazard ;

• Inspect work areas and correct unsafe acts and conditions;

• Instruct and coach workers to follow safe work procedures;

http://www.saskatchewan.ca/work/safety-in-the-workplace/safety-rights-and-responsibilities-in-the-workplace

Supervisors Safety in the Workplace/Rights and Responsibilities – Summary in layman’s terms:• Ensure only authorized, competent workers operate equipment;

( must have 16 hrs. documented training – PME , OHS sec 154 & Table 14.1)

• Ensure equipment is properly maintained;

• Ensure the necessary personal protective equipment is provided to workers and used properly;

http://www.saskatchewan.ca/work/safety-in-the-workplace/safety-rights-and-responsibilities-in-the-workplace

Supervisors Safety in the Workplace/Rights and Responsibilities – Summary in layman’s terms:

• Know how to safely handle, store, produce, and dispose of chemical and biological substances at the workplace; - (WHMIS. GHS)

• Understand and implement emergency procedures;

• Report and investigate incidents (accidents, dangerous occurrences and other significant events);

http://www.saskatchewan.ca/work/safety-in-the-workplace/safety-rights-and-responsibilities-in-the-workplace

Supervisors Safety in the Workplace/Rights and Responsibilities – Summary in layman’s terms:

• Promote health and safety awareness;

• Co-operate with other parties in dealing with health and safety issues;

• Ensure that workers under their direct supervision are sufficiently supervised; and

• Ensure that workers under their direct supervision are not exposed to harassment at their workplace.

http://www.saskatchewan.ca/work/safety-in-the-workplace/safety-rights-and-responsibilities-in-the-workplace

Workers Responsibilities 1/2

Under The Saskatchewan Employment Act, workers must:

• Understand and comply with legislation and workplace health and safety requirements;

• Follow safe work procedures;• Use safety equipment, machine guards, safety devices, and personal

protective equipment;• Report unsafe acts and workplace hazards;

http://www.saskatchewan.ca/work/safety-in-the-workplace/safety-rights-and-responsibilities-in-the-workplace

Workers Responsibilities 2/2

• Under The Saskatchewan Employment Act, workers must:

• Report incidents, accidents, dangerous occurrences, injuries, or illnesses immediately;

• Work and act safely and helping others to work and act safely;

• Co-operate with the occupational health committee and others on health and safety issues; and

• Refrain from causing or participating in the harassment of another worker.http://www.saskatchewan.ca/work/safety-in-the-workplace/safety-rights-and-responsibilities-in-the-workplace

Safety Management Systems – Basics

✔ Education and training of workers?

✔ Communicate safety-related issues to workers?

✔ Safe work procedures?

✔ Process to identify, analyze and control risks?

✔ Accident investigations?

✔ Can you demonstrate a safety management system exists?

✔ Can you demonstrate efforts to reduce workplace risks?

18WorkSafe BC.com – Managing Safety from the Supervisor’s Perspective

Supervisor – Managing SafetyEffective supervision is a planned and purposeful activity.

These activities make up a systematic plan for the supervisor to follow: Provide/verify workers' training before undertaking new tasks Verify that workers' performance meets expectations for safety Actively seek out emerging hazards Record one daily entry (per worker/crew) in a Supervisor's journal or

log Positively reinforce safe/proper work performance Ensure clear and concise documentation

Documentation and Record Keeping"How much needs to be written down?“

Critical decisions – how they were made – Who?, What?, Where?, Why?

Less critical – basic documentation – “Checked log book.”, “observed forklift operator unloading pallets.”

Critique – Good walk around - Reminding workers of procedure.

20WorkSafe BC.com – Managing Safety from the Supervisor’s Perspective

Supervisor – A Safety Manager!Managing safety as a supervisor means to change the unsafe behavior of workers.

Four Basic Principals:

✔ Intervention

✔ Positive reinforcement

✔ Observing and providing feedback

✔ Evaluating safety performance

WorkSafe BC.com – Managing Safety from the Supervisor’s Perspective

– Supervisor Competency Guideline

Link is also on the New Enform Website – enform.ca

Under resources – Download the PDF

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Supervisor Continuous Improvement Cycle

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Leadership

What Defines Good Leadership ?

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Leadership Activities

• 1. Establish goals and objectives for the worksite• 2. Provide oversight and guidance at worksite• 3. Lead by example• 4. Demonstrate integrity• 5. Promote a positive health, safety and environmental

culture• 6. Provide motivation and recognition

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Leadership Knowledge and Skills

Knowledge• Mission (outcome expectations)• Company’s philosophy, vision, values and principles• Company’s policies, standards and procedures• Coaching and human behaviour motivation techniques• Conflict management and resolution techniques

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Leadership Knowledge and Skills

Skills• Leading and delegating• Facilitating – engaging people• Obtaining and providing information• Leading by example• Team-building• Demonstrating ethics, honesty and integrity

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Supervisor Continuous Improvement Cycle

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Communication

What Defines Good Communication?

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Communication: • Critical part of the process

• Receives directives from management – production/safety/costs/timeline, etc.

• Brings the message to worker

• Must demonstrate

• Accountable

Challenges - Communication in the Workplace

Lots of info to identify

Generations – Boomer, Gen X, Gen Y

Cultures – Areas of Canada, Different Countries/Ethnic Background

Weather challenges

Other -

Communication Activities – Supervisor

1. Communicate effectively

2. Orientation – worker/crew/contractors

3. Facilitate effective meetings

4. Use industry terminology appropriately and effectively

5. Provide instruction and coaching

6. Interact with stakeholders effectively (by understanding corporate responsibilities and commitments and position relative to stakeholder issues)

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Communication Barriers

• Language• Noisy environment• Technical content• Lack of understanding of what the receiver/audience wants or needs• Inadequate feedback• Emotional interference• Cultural differences• Poor listening skills

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Ways to Communicate

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Morning meetings –scrums – Operations Manger / Supervisor

Pre-job safety / Tailgate/ Worksite Reviews

All in - Round table in the field - All workers have something to contribute.

Share Experience - Ask questions

Ask yourself this question daily:

“ What can I do to ensure my safety and the safety of others?”

Communication – Supervisor's Demeanor• Walk the talk• Use phrases like

Lets get this done in a safe and efficient manner Remember, this is a “dangerous task”

The best way is a safe way. Do you require more resources to ensure your Safety for this task?

Two Way Communication

Supervisor Continuous Improvement Cycle

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Planning

Performance

Measurement

ImprovementLeadership

& Communication

Supervisor Competency is Good BusinessWHAT COMPETENCIES CAN DO• Translate strategic direction into action• Clarify behaviours that support important values and principles• Establish standards of excellence that are shared across• Functions and boundaries

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3 Questions to Update on Your Own1. How are you meeting Supervisory requirements ?

2. Is the message of Safe Work getting through to the workers?

3. Are the workers retaining the message?

In Conclusion• There are lots of tools available. Find or build the tools that work for

your organization• Educate and invest in Your Supervision Staff -

http://www.enform.ca/files/pdf/publications/scgc_brochure.pdf

http://www.enform.ca/resources/detail/9/supervisor-competency-guideline

Work Safe BC –link – Managing Safety

http://www.worksafebc.com/publications/health_and_safety/by_topic/assets/pdf/managing_safety.pdf?_ga=1.80866386.494751303.1443462938

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Other linksThe Saskatchewan Employment Act

http://www.qp.gov.sk.ca/documents/English/Statutes/Statutes/S15-1.pdf

The Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, 1996

http://www.qp.gov.sk.ca/documents/English/Regulations/Regulations/O1-1R1.pdf

Location to purchase printed copy of employment Act & OH&S Regulations

http://www.publications.gov.sk.ca/details.cfm?p=435540

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Arnold Betzema CRSP

Program Manager, Enform Saskatchewan

P 306.842.9826 | C 306.737.8127arnold.betzema@enform.ca | www.enform.ca