Communication Styles Between the HSE Department and Site Managers

HSE Specialist: Friend or Foe to Site Managers?

My first walk-through of production sites was over ten years ago, but I remember that day very clearly. As a fifth-year student, I was already working as an environmental specialist at a manufacturing plant. The day came when I had to conduct a site inspection on my own, issue directives to managers, discuss non-conformities, and plan corrective actions. I remember very well the fear of those formidable men in uniforms, my anxiety, the desire to finish the monitoring as quickly as possible, the feedback they gave me in a rather negative way, my worries, and my reluctance to do the next walk-throughs.

And now, I am in my eleventh year working in the field of health, safety, and environment. Today, I perceive every visit to the production floor as a normal, routine operation, with complete composure. Of course, experience has played a big role, but self-improvement was also essential.

This is what I teach my specialists: you might not know the answers to all the questions, but you can always write them down, analyze them, and get back to the employee with feedback.

Of course, an HSE specialist will never truly become "one of the guys" among production workers; you will always be perceived as someone trying to identify flaws, record them, and take photos of violations. Here, you need to understand the message you are conveying during your monitoring.

It is very important to involve site managers in the walk-throughs so they understand that you are open to feedback, ready to listen to them, understand why they couldn't or didn't have time to rectify a directive, and discuss the problem together. A balance is needed: compliance with HSE requirements is mandatory, but this can be communicated in different ways.

I support a democratic management style, where decisions are made collectively, there is dialogue and feedback between employees, and a communication system (the so-called "help chain") is established. In this case, the HSE specialist implements the necessary methods by involving site managers in the process. The key here is not to cross the line where managers' decisions conflict with HSE requirements. Personally, I feel comfortable working when employees ask for help or advice and offer their own ideas and solutions, rather than just "obeying" written orders and regulations.

As for the liberal style, I am not a big fan of it. Yes, on one hand, the opportunity to make independent decisions and full autonomy can work positively, but not always. Therefore, in areas where the process is already established and the course of action is clear, the HSE department leaves autonomy to the site managers, but strictly within the clear boundaries of the process.

The authoritarian style, for me personally, is a thing of the past. Although in certain moments and situations, it is quite applicable.

Every HSE specialist chooses their own management style; it's hard to pick just one. The main thing is that, in the end, every employee works in safe conditions and can turn to the HSE department as people who can help.

Which approach do you use when working with department heads? Share your thoughts in the comments.

• democratic style
• liberal style
• authoritarian style
• mixed style

A small selection of photos from HSE Day, a tour for employees' children, and training sessions.