How World-Class Organizations can address COVID-19

Terry McSween – Executive Consultant, DEKRA Companies vary widely in how quickly and effectively they are responding to the coronavirus pandemic. DEKRA’s four pillars of safety provide a great framework for analyzing the efforts of any world class organization to internally manage exposure to COVID-19. In most cases, these organizations already have a strong safety culture that supported a quick and effective response. So how are these cultures created and sustained? First it takes a passion for people, the initial pillar of safety. Well in advance of the recent pandemic, leadership at these organizations have created a shared vision of the organization’s concern for the safety and wellbeing of their associates, their families, and their community. The second pillar is a focus on controlling exposure, which occurs when behavior intersects with a hazard. The nature of exposure encourages a dual focus on both the controlling behavior and the hazards present in the environment. Throughout the organization, everyone understands that safety is defined as controlling exposure, not preventing accidents. The third pillar of safety excellence is the alignment of resources and systems. Addressing covid exposure requires resources and…