Excuses Heard After Someone Gets Hurt!
Bullet Aiming Toward an Accident/Incident
I was hot.
I was cold.
I was tired.
I got distracted.
I was in a hurry.
The PPE is too hot.
I did not notice that.
I did not know any better.
I was not properly trained.
I was not paying attention.
I don’t know what happened.
I thought I could do it myself.
I just was not paying attention.
I did not expect that to happen.
I have always done it that way.
It has never been an issue before.
No one told me that was a hazard.
I had something else on my mind.
I saw someone else do it that way.
There is no other way to do the job.
No one said that I could not do that.
I knew better but just did it anyway.
It was quicker just to do it that way.
Everyone knew that was dangerous.
I was under pressure to get it running.
There was nothing I could do about it.
I just thought I would jump in and help.
It takes too long to do it “the safe” way.
My supervisor told me to do it that way.
I did not have time to get the proper tools.
I was not thinking about what could happen.
Someone left it that way and did not report it.
I did not know that they were going to move it.
I thought I could get away with it just this once.
The PPE does not fit right and is uncomfortable.
I have a lot going on at home that’s on my mind.
I was doing everything right, but got hurt anyway.
I did not think it needed to be locked out to do that job.
I took a shortcut to be able to do the job better or faster.
I always want to be the best at my job and sometimes don’t recognize the risks I take.
Excuses are a way of blocking out reality. The reality of Workplace Safety is that ALL accidents are preventable. Most of the time we have a warning that something is not right and someone could get hurt. That is why it is very important to document all Near Misses and report all Unsafe Conditions that are 0bserved. This way we can address those issues BEFORE an employee gets hurt.
Please review the 12 Keys to a Good Safety Record:
- Set a Good Example. Actions speak louder than words. Let others see that you care about safety in everything that you do.
- Know Your Job Task Processes. You have to know the process and the equipment to fully appreciate and understand the safety and fire hazards associated with your job.
- Anticipate Risks. Think ahead and know that changing conditions will change the way you have to approach each job. Be aware of everything within a 10-foot bubble of where you are standing.
- Discuss Hazards. Each employee should know the hazards that are present in their work area and should discuss these hazards with anyone coming into their area so we are all aware of present and changing issues.
- Be Alert for Unsafe Conditions. Every walk through the plant should be a safety observation. If you see something, correct it immediately if possible or call someone who can.
- Follow Up. Make sure that instructions or warnings that you know about are being heeded by all.
- Inspect Often, Inspect Intelligently. Safety audits are critical to catching unsafe practices and behaviors before someone can get hurt. These inspections are only affective if done properly and often.
- Take Corrective Action. If you see something that is not right or unsafe, you must be willing to speak up. This is hard for a lot of people and it is far easier to keep quiet and turn a blind eye. However, we cannot have a successful safety program unless everyone is willing to speak up to keep your fellow employee safe. Not speaking up could cause someone else to get hurt.
- Investigate All Incidents. Everything must be investigated and FOLLOWED up with corrective actions.
- Maintain Housekeeping. Good housekeeping contributes to the elimination of accidents and fire hazards.
- Know Your Fellow Employees. Know what your fellow employees are capable of doing. If they have not been trained on a particular job, take the time to make sure they are working safely.
- Make Safety Part of Your Day Everyday! Good safety prevents accidents and human suffering.
Why would you not practice it?