A Safety Gemba Walk can help manufacturing companies run more smoothly, efficiently, and safely while building the entire team's trust in the organization. In this blog, we’ll discuss how to do a Safety Gemba Walk and how leaders can properly implement them to yield the best results.
What is a Safety Gemba Walk?
A Safety Gemba Walk is essentially a safety walk that has been merged with the Gemba method, which allows organizational leaders to observe daily work processes, engage with employees, and identify opportunities to improve safety practices and procedures.
The main goal of the Safety Gemba Walk is the continuous improvement of safety and risk mitigation in the workplace. Organizations achieve this by focusing on opportunities to improve safety while streamlining efficiency and intuitive practices. Rather than focusing on compliance violations, Safety Gemba Walks go deeper. They concentrate on understanding the “why” behind the safety procedures in place, allowing SMMs to identify potential areas for improvement.
Why Are Safety Gemba Walks Important in Manufacturing?
Safety Gemba Walks enable the company's leadership team to see their manufacturing processes at an operational level and talk to the people with the most accurate insight into the workplace safety hazards — their workers.
While walking the floor, leaders are encouraged to ask questions, interact with workers at their stations, and build trust. They should be looking for transparent feedback from employees and give them an opportunity to voice any safety concerns or improvement ideas they may have.
A Safety Gemba Walk that is properly implemented and executed with sincerity can increase employee buy-in for workplace safety, enhance morale, and aid in the growth of a workplace safety culture.
How to Do an Effective Safety Gemba Walk
