Going to Work can be a Safety Risk – and not just because You Are in A Dangerous Occupation

Going to work can be a dangerous occupation

For most of us, going to work is the same day in and day out. We just do the job.  Over time we can become immune to the safety risks involved. Particularly if you take pride in your work and put effort into what you do.  You get good at it. Perhaps you just forget to pay attention to the “little things” you do.

Maybe even, you begin to take a few well meaning shortcuts – that actually “help” get the  job done quicker. Then of course, that is how the new guy learns to do the job, and before long a dangerous act becomes a common everyday way of doing the job. Until something goes wrong. Then there is this big “to do” or “uproar” about Unsafe Work Practices.   Everyone looks around blankly saying – “But that’s how we always did it, what do you mean unsafe?”

The “Guru’s” come in and do all this safety risk analysis and safety assessments, then you have a tool box meeting and they introduce the Safety Risk Management Policy – and a list of safety procedures that staff just groan and sink into their chairs even deeper, thinking – “gawd, we can’t get the job done in the time we have now”.

All because at some point, some one took a short cut.  It’s too late after the accident to recognise shortcuts were the cause. That’s why having regular practices, rules and regulations, policies and procedures.. whatever you wish to call them…. is important. You can’t “undo” an accident – the effects are life lasting and long lasting.

A safety program protects employees just as much as it protects the employer.  Doing the job right saves lives. A good workplace safety culture equates to safety with productivity and profitability.

Employees are valuable assets and as such, should be involved and contribute to creating safe work practices, eliminating risks and working together to create practical safe work solutions.

Do the right thing – Get the Job Done.. safely.