Safety managers wear many hats. Follow these tips for successful time management:

1. Set priorities. Identify critical projects, reports or training deadlines and schedule time to work on them.
2. Delegate. Once you’ve set up procedures, delegate their implementation if possible to staff, department supervisors, work teams, or safety committees.
3. Outsource. Use the services offered by suppliers, insurance carriers, consultants or trade associations whenever they would save you time and money.
4. Stay organized. Keep your desk free of unnecessary items. Organize paperwork into individual project files.
5. Use e-mail. Unlike a phone call, e-mail lets you look into the matter and respond when you have time.
6. Stick to your schedule. Start and end meetings on time. Those extra minutes can add up to hours over the course of a year!
7. Block out private time. Set aside time to work on projects by closing your door, forwarding calls to voice mail, or scheduling a “meeting” with yourself.
8. Fill your “free time.” When there is a lull in the action, take care of something on your list of low-priority, non-time-sensitive tasks.
9. Limit socializing. Social interaction is the key to maintaining good working relationships, but get back to work when your coffee cup’s empty.
10. Reduce stress. Take occasional stretching, deep breathing, or meditation breaks to refresh you.

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