In Andrew Charles’ Safety Discipleship, the author argues that on-the-job safety can’t be ensured with a compliance mindset, only with a purpose-driven one.
Charles believes that corporate safety programs too often default to a checklist culture, rather than engaging workers and supervisors to feel responsible for each other and, thus, to take precautions to ensure safety. While this idea is sound, the book’s overall execution is, unfortunately, flawed.
The book offers no biographical information on the author, leaving readers in the dark as to his qualifications or experience. As Chapter 1 opens, Charles discusses goal-setting with text so generic as to be applicable to almost any subject: “People set goals and nurture dreams because they are the beacons of hope in the everyday grind—a compass that guides them through challenges and fuels the relentless pursuit of a better life.” This beginning is likely to test the patience of readers specifically interested in safety.
The author goes on to offer underwhelming, obvious advice throughout the book, urging readers to “Shift from one-time induction to ongoing ‘safety coaching,” for example, and frequently repeating that employees need to be emotionally invested in their own safety, must complete safety checks, must look out for each other.
In addition, Charles makes broad assumptions, such as: “blue-collar workers frequently center their aspirations on very tangible, immediate needs. Their goals are usually rooted in the realities of life.” And the narrative oddly endorses making safety a “spiritual” practice: “Indoctrination, in this enlightened sense, becomes the process by which workers are not only trained in the rules but are also inspired to internalize them at a spiritual level. It’s about reaching a point where safety is not just a checklist, but a deeply ingrained belief—a mantra that resonates as clearly as ‘This is the way.’”
Charles’ main premise is reasonable. But those seeking solid advice on how to encourage a purpose-driven culture will likely be disappointed with this offering.
Also available in hardcover and ebook.