FMA Safety Conference 2011

Looking for a good couple of days here in Schaumburg Illinois. I hope to pick up some knowledge to share with others in the industry.

Flights were good....weather is nice....almost time for dinner....conference in the morning!

http://www.fmanet.org/training/event.cfm?eventid=520

kml
2011

The Candle of 2010 Burns Away

The end of the year approaches and WOW what a year it has been! A year of bizarre weather patterns....a year of continued job cuts in the USA while the BRIC countries have all experienced rapid growth in many key business sectors. It has been the year that many techies will remember. Apple officially rocks....they have become the new Microsoft. Android has become something other than a 'space word'....

I am excited about 2011. My focus will be on innovation, safety and sustainability. I do not believe the 3 can be separated.....well, technically they can but only at a cost.

I have consistently preached quality, safety, lean, reduction of waste and sustainability during 2010. One by one I have watched the companies that are highly efficient remain highly profitable.....while those who refuse to embrace lean sustainability have watched profit margins wither away.

To all of the companies and employees I have worked with in 2010.....I wish you a safe and profitable 2011.

Look for more frequent updates in the future.

kml
2010

Quality & Safety

Can either exist in business absent of the other? I have recently been in discussions regarding safety in a company. Often times people assume that safety in business is something that 'happens' only in the manufacturing areas. Many people also assume that quality is limited to one or two areas of the company. Safety and Quality are not simply 'other programs' that we will try and see if they work out.

I like to view these two areas as character traits. We must live them. We do not simply switch into 'safe mode' when we enter our places of work.

I'd be interested to see how other folks view 'safety' and 'quality'?

Can the two words be simply defined?

kml
2010

regarding 'Safety & Sustainability' from my friend Mike Taubitz

From my friend Mike Taubitz......too good to not pass along...

http://www.fdrsafety.com/how-safety-fits-with-sustainability/

How safety fits with sustainability

March 24th, 2010 posted by Mike Taubitz 

Sustainability is a board level issue in most companies. It is a complex strategic challenge that balances social, economic and ecological issues for sustainable growth of the organization.

In its simplest form, sustainability can be remembered as “People, Profit and Planet.” The question for safety professionals is “where do we fit into this C-suite initiative?” If you have a sound safety process, my suggestion is to make sure that safety is a value within the organization.

Sustainability, “green” and environment are terms often used interchangeably. For clarification and purposes of this blog, let us agree that “green” and environment is essentially the same thing. While key, they are part of “planet” – just one piece of the overall equation.......................

and also this:

http://www.linkedin.com/groupAnswers?viewQuestionAndAnswers=&gid=2888693&discussionID=16224819&goback=.anh_2888693

Safety culture is a myth. So is “lean” culture...

How many HSE professionals are actively dealing with the integration of lean, green and safety? Are safety pros still talking about compliance, OSHA recordkeeping and “safety culture.” In another LinkedIn forum, I had several positive responses to the challenge that “safety culture is a myth.”

There can only be “organizational culture” and safety must be a value within that culture. A sustainable organization cannot have competing cultures. Every time, I read about “safety culture,” I wonder about the company’s “quality culture,” “lean or production culture,” “service culture,” etc….

Can an organization that plans to survive and thrive in a sustainable manner have competing cultures? Answer: NO…


Respect for employees and environment and integration of functions is key to sustainability.

What are you seeing in your company or with your client base?

Your thoughts?

kml

2010

FMA Safety Conference 2010 - People, Profit, Planet

Mark your calendar if you are a Safety Professional, CEO, Risk Manager or are in the HR field.  Amada America, Inc. will be hosting the Fabricators & Manufacturers Association, International Annual Safety Conference this year at their Schaumburg, Ill. facility. Check out the link here:

http://www.fmanet.org/training/event.cfm?eventid=379

I will be speaking this year on Wednesday April 14, 2010. Look forward to seeing you there.

kml
2010