700 Introduction to Safety Management

Deming's 14 Points Applied to Safety

The focus of this module is to better understand and apply each of Deming's 14 points to workplace safety. So, let's see what he says about quality, and how it might be applied to safety.

Point 1: Create a constant purpose to improve the product and service, with the aim to be competitive, stay in business, and provide jobs.

Deming spoke about the "problems of today and the problems of tomorrow". He believed that management in America today tends to focus solely on today's problems. However, he argued that there should be increased, if not the most, emphasis on tomorrow's threats and opportunities. This is essential to improve competitive position, stay in business, and provide more jobs.

Best Practices

• Management should constantly focus on improving the safety of materials, equipment, the workplace environment, and work practices to ensure long-term success.
• The goals should continually work toward a world-class safe and healthful workplace today, so that fewer injuries and illnesses occur in the future.
• Management should continually communicate a clear, consistent message that safety is a core value, and that there are "no excuses" for accidents.
• Management must understand that if the company considers safety only as a priority that may be changed when convenient, constancy of purpose is not achievable.

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.