Do Your Maintenance People Feel Safe?
Ask the typical maintenance manager, “Do your people feel safe?” and you’ll probably start a conversation about OSHA or how the plant has gone 523 days without a lost-time incident. That maintenance manager is only thinking about the physical safety of people on the job, which is important.
However, it’s also important to consider the mental and emotional health of people. If you want people to go into a mental state of fight or flight, just start a rumor about layoffs. In this state, a person is usually more impulsive and less rational. This is the opposite behavior of what you want in a maintenance person.
Help people feel safe by:
- Showing them honor and respect.
- Not assigning blame for things beyond their control.
- Giving feedback (good and bad) on their performance.
- Providing suggestions for improvement in a coaching, not scolding, manner.
- Thanking them for hard work, good work, a positive attitude, etc.
About the Author
Mark LamendolaMark Lamendola
Mark is an expert in maintenance management, having racked up an impressive track record during his time working in the field. He also has extensive knowledge of, and practical expertise with, the National Electrical Code (NEC). Through his consulting business, he provides articles and training materials on electrical topics, specializing in making difficult subjects easy to understand and focusing on the practical aspects of electrical work.
Prior to starting his own business, Mark served as the Technical Editor on EC&M for six years, worked three years in nuclear maintenance, six years as a contract project engineer/project manager, three years as a systems engineer, and three years in plant maintenance management.
Mark earned an AAS degree from Rock Valley College, a BSEET from Columbia Pacific University, and an MBA from Lake Erie College. He’s also completed several related certifications over the years and even was formerly licensed as a Master Electrician. He is a Senior Member of the IEEE and past Chairman of the Kansas City Chapters of both the IEEE and the IEEE Computer Society. Mark also served as the program director for, a board member of, and webmaster of, the Midwest Chapter of the 7x24 Exchange. He has also held memberships with the following organizations: NETA, NFPA, International Association of Webmasters, and Institute of Certified Professional Managers.