Speaker: Rob Dival, National HS&E Manager, K&S Corporation
How do OHS Professionals leverage power and influence tactics?
Occupational Health and Safety Professionals (OHSPs) have always been the unsung heroes of workplace safety, tirelessly working to ensure that environments are safe and compliant. However, one of the significant challenges they face is the lack of direct authority over how work is performed. This often makes it difficult to implement necessary safety measures effectively.
Rob Dival, the National HS&E Manager at K&S Corporation, addressed this very issue in a lunchtime presentation hosted by Central Safety Group on Tuesday, 13 May 2025. This Zoom-only session was open to everyone, including non-members.
Rob's presentation delved into how OHSPs could leverage power and influence tactics to overcome these challenges. Power, in this context, is based on the perceived values of the intended target, while influence tactics involve the strategic application of this power to achieve desired outcomes.
Drawing from his recently completed Masters of OHS scoping review thesis, Rob provided a comprehensive overview of the current state of knowledge on this topic. His thesis offered valuable insights into how OHSPs could effectively perform these critical activities, ensuring that safety protocols were not just recommended but implemented and adhered to.
In addition to his academic insights, Rob shared practical experiences from his career, illustrating how he had supported OHS teams in utilizing power and influence tactics effectively in the workplace. These real-world examples provided attendees with actionable strategies they could apply in their own roles.
This presentation was an enlightening session for anyone involved in occupational health and safety. It was a fantastic opportunity to learn from an expert in the field and gain new perspectives on how to navigate the complexities of workplace safety. The notion of how much authority an OHSP should have was an interesting point of discussion during the Q&A at the end.
Thank you to everyone who marked their calendars and joined us for this informative and empowering session. Together, we can continue to make our workplaces safer and more compliant, one strategic influence at a time.
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