On Tuesday, November 13, 2018, 40 or so ASSP members from the Greater Baton Rouge chapter gathered to hear from Alex Novas, an OSHA Compliance Assistance Specialist based out of the Baton Rouge Area Office.
Mr. Novas has been with OSHA since 1991 after graduating from LSU and serving in the United States Air Force. He gave great insight on how OSHA's mission and the mission of safety professionals are one in the same. He discussed the OSHA inspections process. And, he spoke about several OSHA resources including OSHA "Quick Takes."
"Production First, but no value without Safety!" - Alex Novas
I heard a similar slogan in Houston at the National Safety Council's Congress & Expo. Someone else said "Bottom Line First." I agree with both slogans. "Production is why we have jobs and why we do what we do," said Novas. He called for a better slogan than "Safety First," so I prefer "Safety Always" or, more recently, "Safety Matters." What do you think? " Coach them up - everyday," said Novas. The two keywords there - coach and everyday. Coaching is more about leadership and encouragement for your team while being the "safety cop" is more about bullying and regurgitating polices and regulations. Safety is not an entry on the calendar for Tuesday afternoons. Ensuring the safety (and health) of every worker at your job site is a 24/7 responsibility. Break's over!
Join ASSP
“The American Society of Safety Professionals was founded more than 100 years ago, just months after one of the deadliest workplace disasters in U.S. history – the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire, which killed 146 workers in New York City in 1911. Our mission: We continue to work hard to advance the profession and the individuals who choose it by supporting their efforts to prevent workplace injuries, illnesses and fatalities.” (ASSP)
"The opposite of networking is not working." - Lawrence Mauerman
Visit the following websites for more info!
ASSP – Greater Baton Rouge Chapter
OSHA’s Regional and Area Offices
