Accident = “An event occurring by chance” = Happen-stances over which we have no control; therefore we cannot prevent them. Fortunately, there are very few incidents which occur accidentally. Safety Professionals grit their teeth when they hear the words ACCIDENT and PREVENTION spoken together. There are some other expressions that send Safety Professionals into a snit. They are …..(go to next slide) ...
First. Obviously the first item has been edited for general audiences. Second. This statement is simply a different version of the first idea. Third. Remember this statement. The final statement on the next slide will put a different “spin” on this thought. Fourth, fifth and sixth. Same attitude as that voiced in the third statement. I would now like to introduce some statements that I feel are more appropriate for people with a good safety attitude. In my opinion, they truly represent the daily realities that Safety Professionals have to manage….(go to next slide)...
#1 - probably done it many times before and will do it again. They have developed a habit, and some external event must be inserted in the routine to bring attention to the possible consequences. #2 - Message , although it sounds horribly cold, it is very true. All of us witness situations that involve some correctable risk, but we feel no compelling urge to bring it to anyone’s attention. Why, because we do not believe that anyone we care for will be injured by the condition or the act. Although it is not something to be particularly proud of, this message is not as ominous as the second half of the statement. Message is that we will not get involved because we are more afraid of liability than we are afraid of our own conscience. This kind of reality has led to the passage of the “Good Samaritan” law. Court findings are finally beginning to correct this wrong. #3 - Hopefully, this philosophy will never go out of style! #4 - My all time favorite message to those who will not listen!
#1 - Visualize the activity, the setting and the surroundings. Identify the risks for probability and potential impact. Decide which risks must be minimized or eliminated. Design whatever countermeasures make the most sense. Plan the sequence of protective measures and inform those who have to make it happen. #2 - Insert appropriate means for informing those who can be affected by the risks of how to best protect themselves and their surroundings. Conduct these different kinds of educational exercises at the appropriate times to maximize the best possible outcome. #3 - Use appropriate forms of discipline and rewards to insure that the safety messages are being received properly. Enforcement is essential to insure a successful safety program. If enforcement is confusing or badly administered, the entire safety program will suffer. #4 - Habits (good and bad) are created as a result of repeated sets of responses to particular conditions. Without repeated intervention and guidance from those who have studied the consequences, some habits will be built as the natural tendency to “reach that finish line” as quickly as possible. When this is allowed to occur, dangerous shortcuts become normal behavior, and turning them around is very difficult. With patience and persistence, good habits can be built to replace bad ones . A MAJOR FACTOR is …..(go to next slide)...
ATTITUDE! Just for fun, and to help everyone remember its importance for having a successful safety program, try this clever little word game. Assign values in alphabetical order from 1 to 26 for each character of the alphabet. A = 1, B = 2, etc. Write each letter of the word “ATTITUDE” in a vertical column. Place its assigned value to the right of each letter. Total the values and discover …. The percentage of impact that attitude has on the success or failure of every safety program. The attitude of management towards safety must be one of solid affirmation. The attitude of supervisors towards safety must be one of proactive support. The attitude of workers towards safety must become very personal. How do we influence safety and what do we plan to get from our efforts ….(go to next slide)...
* We insert particular obligations into contract documents: must have a competent trainer on the project, must have a site specific written safety program, must investigate all incidents and search for cause, etc. * We add our own site inspections to those which contractors are obliged to complete for themselves. * We insert a particular amount of cash into each project to fund reward programs that will reinforce good behaviors. * We dig into each medical and property damage claim to help the contractor discover ways to better manage losses and to avoid future repetitions. We also look for weaknesses in their and our programs and policies, and change them for the better. * We conduct Contractor Assessments (evaluations) on all of the major contractors and all subcontractors that experience losses or violations. The intent is to develop risk information that will better qualify contractors. * We are conducting a safety training program for representatives of all major contractors and subcontractors. *BOTTOM LINE - Our rewards will be additional MONEY for other uses, and projects that can truly claim to be the successful accomplishment of a team effort.
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