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Lab managers receiving safety walkaround training package

Laboratory managers are receiving safety walkaround training packages through their division, group and program offices. The package features a description and demonstration of the walkaround process from David Herbert, a senior fellow with the National Safety Council and special consultant to the Laboratory.

In his demonstration, Herbert conducts walkarounds in different Los Alamos work environments, including a chemical research area, a machine shop work area and an office environment.

The general instruction module describes and illustrates the major dynamics of the walkaround process. Herbert defines the six different safety-behavior observation categories and then applies them to the five elements of the walkaround process.

The three specific demonstration modules present safety walkarounds from beginning to end in these different work environments.

"The safety walkaround is a key vehicle to helping people help one another stay safe and avoid injury," Herbert said.

The training package includes

• four training modules in both VHS and DVD formats consisting of the general instruction and three specific demonstration modules;
• a cover memo and discussion guide;
• two PowerPoint slides, to support the discussion guide, available at http://safetywalkaroundvideo.lanl.gov online;
• a course roster form for managers and supervisors only, to document their required video viewing;
• two green walkaround cards to help remind managers during their walkarounds.

All managers and supervisors are required to view the general instruction module, also known as the Safety Walkaround Process (Course #30670).

The three specific demonstration modules -- Chemical Research Area Walkaround, Machine Shop Walkaround and Office Walkaround -- also are available for viewing.

All employees are expected to be trained on the safety walkaround process through the Nested Safety and Security process. Managers and supervisors will convene group- or team-level meetings to view and discuss the general instruction module.

Management safety walkarounds continue as an important process for managers to walk a workspace and engage employees in collaborative discussions about safety in the workplace, according to a memo distributed by the Director's Office to all Laboratory managers. Walkarounds are effective tools for improving safety through behavioral observation and teamwork.

For more information, go to http://safetywalkaroundvideo.lanl.gov online or contact Rob Nicholas of Industrial Hygiene and Safety (HSR-5) at 7-3748 or safwalkaroundvid@lanl.gov by electronic mail.

--Ed Kellum

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