Mark Twain, the famous American author and humorist, once wrote: “It is better to be careful 100 times than to get killed once.”
The potential for workplace injuries are ever-present no matter how attentive and conscientious one can be about observing health and safety procedures, policies or rules in the working environment. At times, we can all be careless as we do not pay attention to where we are going or we may be unconcerned about things happening around us. Moreover, within a blink of an eye, an accident occurs. In most cases, 80 out of 100 accidents are the fault of the person who is involved.
There are many reasons why accidents occur. However, people tend to look for things to blame because it is easier than spending the added time in searching for the root causes. The following are some of the most common causes of accidents to which we should all pay very close attention.
1—Taking shortcuts
“Nothing bad will ever happen to me, it’s only going to take a minute, I am way behind schedule or everybody does it this way.” These are all too common thoughts that might run through a person’s head before deciding to take a safety shortcut. Often, by taking shortcuts, we think that time is being saved. On the other end, however, we are not only jeopardising the health and safety of ourselves, but of other people around us as well. No matter what the reasons are, by not following the proper procedures, there will be devastating results. Hence, the phrase “shortcuts cut life short!”
2—Starting a task with incomplete instructions
We have always been taught that no question is a dumb question in the search for information. In order for us to work safely on a job and get it right the first time, complete information is needed. Many times, employees are tasked with certain jobs and only part instruction is given.
The ultimate result of such could be a botched job or in the worst-case scenario, injuries or death. Therefore, do not be timid about asking questions concerning explanation or information with regard to safe work procedures. Remember, it is not silly to ask, but silly not to ask!
3—Being overconfident
It is wonderful to feel confident about your job and take pride in your ability to complete the work at hand. However, there is something as being so overconfident whereby we forget about its hazards and use of all the safe-work practices. Being overconfident can easily lead to a point of arrogance. This can easily lead to improper methods of doing work, using the wrong tools or simply the incorrect procedures.
4—Ignoring safety procedures
Why do we make our own rules when it comes to safety? Maybe we just enjoy not being told what to do. Whether intentionally or unintentionally, ignoring safety procedures can endanger oneself as well as others around. When a casual attitude is taken, the end result is usually a casualty.
5—Poor housekeeping
A well-maintained working area always sets a precedent for others to follow. Housekeeping is usually an accurate indicator about a person’s attitude to working safe, efficiency as well as quality of output.
It is understood that poor housekeeping usually creates all types of health and safety hazards. It can also contribute to the frequency of accidents in the working environment by masking hazards that can cause injuries. Housekeeping is not only about cleanliness, but also, being attentive as well as preventative.
6—Mental distractions
Are you constantly worrying about the problems at home or in deep thoughts about the phone conversation you just had? What about a friend or colleague who chooses to have a conversation with you whilst you are trying to work? All of these situations can be a very hazardous combination whilst in the workplace. By not being mentally focused on the task at hand, one can easily deviate from safe working protocols. This deviation can cause one to easily become a statistic.
7—Failure in pre-planning
Sometimes depending on the situation, one is very hasty in starting the task at hand without thinking through the entire process, especially about working safe. No matter where your work is located, it is important that it is pre-planned. Pre-planning not only helps in identifying unforeseen problems, but it gives the opportunity in finding practical solutions before any work begins. It will also contribute to the overall efficiency of the job process.
Now, stop for a minute, think. Have you ever been guilty of any of these behaviours or attitudes? Let us all try to reduce these potentially-fatal errors.
Contact the Caribbean Institute for Security and Public Safety at 223-6999, 222-8347, email: info@caribbeansecurityinstitute.com or www.caribbeansecurityinstitute.com for almost 100 courses on law enforcement, corrections, corporate security, OSH/HSE, supervision and management courses etc, for companies and individuals.