Is it Clean or Clear?

It is impossible to avoid shock and pain at the news of the recent disasters, currently the floods in Rio de Janeiro, claiming the lives of over 200 and the coal mine explosion in West Virginia, claiming the lives of upwards of 25 miners. The first catastrophe, greatly influenced by the forces of nature devastating ramshackle infrastructure much like the Haiti earthquake, and the second brought about completely by the choices and behaviors of men. While the first claimed a much larger number of lives, the second dominates airtime, and in one respect, justifiably so. I have learned from two of the global masters that Safety comes from choice, not chance. Claiming that something is inherently unsafe as a means to accept or tolerate risk borne by others in an economic venture challenges all levels of integrity and ethical choices.

Through good fortune I have observed the difference between safety by declaration, posters, slogans and damage control mouthpieces; and safety as a core value, a non-negotiable principle, and the manifestation in daily life through work, planning, preparation, constancy of purpose, and consequences. Two organizations, Bechtel Corporation and BHP-Billiton live and breathe what we could all emulate and perpetuate. They share many like practices, rules, gear, training, science… all important. What they share that is essential is that it starts at the top of the house, runs down and across the house, and returns to the top of the house.

These two, perhaps among many, treat safety as a probiotic, not an antibiotic. Bechtel Corporation and BHPB put the living organisms of safety into the daily diet for the workplace and into the feasts that ensue at the celebrations of lives extended. Should a death occur at a Bechtel site, be it employee, contractor, customer or visitor, the phone at the site leadership rings with none other than the Chairman, Riley Bechtel on the other end. There is nothing more important than the integrity with which human life is respected. There cannot be business success without human safety.

Contrast that behavior with the recent disaster in West Virginia, the one in Utah a few years back, and the frightening records of poor safety citations coming to light, followed by obfuscation strategies that delay responsiveness on the part of the alleged perpetrators. The absence of enforceable regulation is unfortunate, apparently essential in the face of the choices and behaviors by those who have the calling to choose, and those that have the power to legislate, but only watch.

For many of us, most of us, these mining disasters have little to do with our businesses, our communities, and our lives. They are in fact, not in our back yard. But, they do speak to our business principles and what we allow to be tolerable, acceptable, or sufficiently infrequent. Except when we turn on the light switch, for that sends a demand signal that rings a bell to pull more coal out of the ground. We do share a connection, every day. What should we do?

There cannot be clean coal without a clear conscience.

Thoughts?

Related Links

http://tridentleverage.com/blog/?p=106

http://tridentleverage.com/blog/?p=362

http://tridentleverage.com/blog/?p=92