Tool Box Talk: Safety Attitude

Safety Attitude

The Safest Person
Ask yourself this question, “Who is the safest person I know?” Did you name someone you used to work with or perhaps someone you work with now? Many people do. The answer should be, “me.” If you can’t say you are the safest person you know, then you might want to think about what it means to make safety a personal thing.

Can A Company Be Safe?
If you talk to executives, managers, and employees about safety, often they will say, ‘We have a safe company.” Making that statement shows a great attitude and a high level of confidence. But how can a company “be safe”? To “be safe” one must show safe behaviour. Although a company can promote safety by having a functional safety management process, it doesn’t really mean anything unless the people behave safe. So what does it mean to “be safe” and “be the safest person you know”?

The key to making your answer, “me” when asked, “Who is the safest person you know” is commitment. To show your commitment to safety, begin to Do It Safely! This is harder than you think but the ultimate pay off is far reaching. Let’s take a look at some consequences to safe behaviour.

Following the posted speed limit
First, you will not get a speeding ticket. The concept that you have to drive with the flow of the traffic is like saying “If they all drive off a cliff I will follow.” Insurance companies have determined that people who do follow the posted speed limits have lower insurance cost and less damage cost to their vehicles. Are you a parent? What do you tell your kids to do about following the speed limit?

Using a step stool instead of a kitchen chair
A fall from 18-24 inches can cause a severe sprain, torn ligaments, and cracked or broken bones. This can be painful and uncomfortable to your body for days or weeks not to mention the pain to your wallet. If you fall off of a chair changing the light bulb in the kitchen, don’t sue the maker of the chair! Your decision to use the chair as a step stool doesn’t mean that the manufacturers of the chair used a poor design if you fall off – it just means the decision wasn’t a good one.

Wearing flip-flops and shorts when mowing and using a weed trimmer
During the summertime, you will see people improperly dressed to protect themselves. The hazard is obvious to us when we are working in the yard but we ignore the signs. There is no feeling in the world like flip-flopping along behind your mower or walking along with the weed trimmer and having grass hitting your legs (if you are into that kind of thing). Conversely, there is no feeling like the mower blade or trimmer line striking you toes or legs. Choose this behaviour and instead of enjoying a glass of your favourite beverage while you sit in the shade and admire your handy work, you could be in the emergency room and off work for weeks. It is your choice, be safe or be unsafe!

As a little bonus, take this housekeeping challenge!
1. It is possible for oily rags to generate enough heat to ignite if not placed in a fireproof container after use.
a. true
b. false

2. Which of the following is considered a tripping hazard that should be corrected as soon as possible?
a. an open file cabinet drawer
b. an electrical cord across a doorway
c. a pallet in the middle of an aisle
d. all of the above

3. Because the work area will never be clean at all times, housekeeping is not an important factor in work areas that are dirty and hot.
a. true
b. false

4. Which of the following is not a housekeeping responsibility of all employees?
a. recognizing and correcting tripping hazards
b. watching for leaks and spills
c. storing overflow materials temporarily on stairs
d. returning tools to proper storage areas after use

5. Since the tracking of mud and dirt through the plant is a concern of the janitorial staff, other employees should not be concerned about the problem.
a. true
b. false

6. List three things that must not be blocked by improperly stored materials as part of good housekeeping.

7. Good housekeeping is not only a job responsibility, but also a reflection of your attitude and your ability to work as a member of a team.
a. true
b. false

SAFETY FIRST is SAFETY ALWAYS—Charles M Hayes

Thanks for the share, TO!