Everett Hays is a ‘natural fit’ for COH Safety job
By Pete Mayes
Having worked in the chemical field, Everett Hays said being a safety advisor is just a natural fit for him.
Hays has been employed with the City of Houston for the past 18 years. The largest department he advises is the General Services Department, but he is also a safety advisor to the Mayor’s Office, the Legal Department, City Council, the Controller’s Office, and the City Secretary’s Office.
Hays’ principal duties consist of safety audits, inspections, training, MVR’s, and helping to create new ways to remain safe and productive.
“I try to link departments together and place everyone on the same path when it comes to safety, as well as promoting and encouraging the departments to use the Zero Is Possible program when it comes to safety and the rewards that are realized,” he said. “I see it that way due to due to having the ability to make a difference in the way all employees take their health and other employees’ health as we promote a safe environment. I believe that safety is an extension of life and survival for everyone in our everyday life.”
A married father of three, Hays describes himself as “transparent and loyal,” and said he “loves to communicate with others in and outside of the workplace.”
“I’m always looking to learn,” he said. “I finished a master’s degree in business administration and master’s in public administration and am working on a Ph.D. in public administration with all but the dissertation complete.”
Hays’ career included working in the chemical field as a safety representative. He said that allowed him to easily transition to working for the City of Houston.
“To me, the transition was about committing to a wider outlook,” he said. “It entailed not occurrences in the field, but in all types of working environments due to the different operations of each department.”
Hays said the ZIP program is one of the more interesting aspects of his job.
“The program goals are to emphasize safety awareness and a mindset towards zero accidents, zero injuries, and zero compromises,” he explained. “This program relies on leadership commitment in these areas, which transfers to employees using the safety committee’s overall collaboration throughout the department.
“In the past, every department has had its special way of doing business, whether there were differences in forms that were used for injuries, accidents, safety meetings, and training. The program asks for more accountability and uniformity throughout the City of Houston,” he said.
Hays said when he started working for the City of Houston in 2003, consistent communications about safety were lacking.
“There was no real communication about the importance of safety,” he said.
Hays recalled an employee who fell about 10 feet from a ladder and suffered a fractured pelvis. He said incidents like this are why safety training and messaging are important.
“These things are important because life is precious,” he said. “Every employee who leaves his home for his work in the morning should come back to his or her home in the evening in good health. This is why it is important to create a safe working environment.
“The City of Houston health and safety policy and procedures are important for the well-being of employees because human loss is immeasurable and intolerable,” Hays said.