Tool Box Talk: Safety Every Day

Generative – “Safety is a value that has been internalized by everyone, the defining element of this type of culture is that despite there being next to zero incidents the organization possesses a chronic unease about safety that drives continuous improvement.”

When we think of safety, what is the first thing that comes to mind? A helmet? Goggles?

Well, safety equipment is very important, but there is much more.

Safety is more than an ideal or a way of thinking. It is a daily set of standards and routines that must be stringently adhered to.

Regardless of what we do for a living, safety in the workplace affects everyone. We hear about it, we talk about it, and hopefully, we practice what we preach.

Although everyone agrees that safety is a good thing, it is a term that has a multiplex concept. It is everyone’s responsibility to be willing to invest in safety.

Accidents can be prevented by recognizing dangers. Education and training are the ways we are able to recognize the dangers.

Attitude is the key for safety. The work attitude that causes concern is the unwillingness to change.

The “I have been here 20 years and that is the way we have always done it” posture prevents the opportunity to evaluate the workplace and institute positive change that can make a work environment safer.

“Attitude is not an easy trait to change or modify.”

Generally, the behaviour of an individual is based on attitude mixed with the current state of mind or “mood” at that particular point of time.

Some behaviours are good for the environment and contribute to the increase production of the entire workforce.

A positive attitude coupled with a feeling of happiness can become infectious and bring everyone together to work as a team.

On the other hand, a good attitude combined with working under the feeling of threat, doom, or sadness causes one to be distracted, offering the chance for a mistake to occur.

Bad work attitudes mixed with good moods can cause excessive ’horseplay’ that can cause injury or even death.

Good attitudes and good behaviours are a must for safety and any other mix of the two can cause disastrous results.

And a bonus quote from Nathaniel Emmons:

“Habit is either the best of servants of the worst of masters”

Thanks for the share, TO!