Vision, Mission, and Role
The Vision Statement
When creating an effective safety committee, it's important to first develop a vision statement to establish a clear direction moving forward.
By establishing a vision statement first, the committee can then develop a mission statement, define roles and responsibilities, and establish a sense of purpose that is aligned and consistent with that vision, fostering greater commitment and enthusiasm. It’s important to understand that “we do what we do based on who we think we are.”
For example:
- If safety committee members see themselves as consultants, they will be motivated to act in ways that convey trustworthiness. As a result, employees are more likely to seek their help and appreciate their work.
- However, if safety committee members view themselves as enforcers, their actions and words may foster mistrust. An effective safety culture cannot thrive in an environment of mistrust.
Sample Vision Statement: "We help everyone in the company create a world-class safety culture through education and consultation."
- "We envision a workplace where every employee goes home safely at the end of the day, free from injury and harm."
- "We are committed to creating a culture of safety excellence, where proactive measures and continuous improvement are at the heart of everything we do."
- "We strive to be leaders in workplace safety by fostering an environment where safety is everyone's responsibility and where hazards are identified and addressed promptly."
Below is a list of activities characteristic of a safety committee with a vision as a consultant group.
- Survey and interview employees to find out what they are thinking and feeling
- Observe employees to analyze behaviors
- Inspect the workplace to uncover hazardous conditions
- Audit safety programs
- Uncover the surface and root causes of safety problems
- Develop and submit written recommendations
- Monitor the progress of corrective actions and system improvements
- Evaluate the long-term quality of the safety culture
A final word about vision: You may be familiar with the saying, "Where there is no vision, the people perish" (Proverbs 29:18). This important principle applies to safety committees as well.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
1-1. What is the purpose of a vision statement?
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