Through knowledge and awareness, Visy’s board site in Hamilton on New Zealand’s North Island has developed a positive safety culture, says their corrugator supervisor, Sandeep.
Safety on site is crucial, according to Sandeep, who sees it as a matter of returning home safely. “Site safety is important, as this can often dictate whether we return home in the same shape we came in,” he explains. “The culture is a big part around safety, and by being proactive, instead of reactive, I hope this feeds a positive culture.”
Creating a strong safety culture has been a challenge, but Sandeep is proud of the progress made. “The culture we currently have is much improved from the past,” he says.
Working in different roles at the site has given Sandeep an understanding of safety from multiple perspectives. “As a leader, I need to be the one to follow safe operating procedures and ensure PPE is used correctly,” he says. “By leading by example, I can expect the same from my operators.”
Sandeep has been directly involved in several key safety projects, including the creation of standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the corrugator and competency assessments. Clear SOPs eliminate confusion and reduce the risk of errors that could lead to injury or machine damage.
“By creating these standardised procedures, not only do we increase skill levels, but we also build awareness around health and safety,” Sandeep explains.
“A big focus this year is improving the SOP process, ensuring this system actively flows.”
Looking ahead for the rest of the year, Sandeep’s focus is fostering a culture where everyone feels comfortable speaking up. “I want to create a culture that is based around looking after one another and doing the right thing, instead of the fastest thing,” he says.
