Humans instinctively seek to avoid pain and death. And yet, we may behave in a manner that is a threat to our wellbeing. There are a couple of reasons why this occurs. The first is lack of knowledge. What you do not know, can hurt you! The second reason we may act in a risky manner is attitude. Now might be a good time to do a quick self-analysis.
What is your attitude toward safety? When asked, some may say they are all for it. Others may complain about any safety effort being made. The difference between the two is one of attitude. Your attitude affects almost all that you do and how you do it. Have you ever noticed that people who are successful in life, or are just happy, tend to have a positive attitude? And so it is with safety.
Look at it this way. . . safety rules and procedures are written to protect you from harm. They are not written to make your work life more uncomfortable or inconvenient. After all, safety equipment and training costs your employer additional up front money. If you cooperate in safety matters, not only is there a lesser likelihood of you getting hurt, you will not be doing battle with the boss who is just trying to do his job by enforcing the safety rules. In addition, you should feel more confident on the job knowing you have a better chance of making it thorough the day without injury. Less fear of injury and the boss no longer on your back has to brighten your day!
We are not perfect. Even the best of us can forget or make errors in judgment. To maximize our safety efforts, we must look out for one another. If someone tells you that you are not working in a safe manner, do not become angry or defensive. They are just looking out for your well-being. If you did not know you were doing something wrong, be thankful your errors were noted before someone got hurt. If you simply forgot or got a little careless, be grateful that someone cares enough to get you back on track. If you see someone doing something unsafe, speak up, but do so diplomatically. Treat others just as you would like to be treated in the same situation. Having a good safety attitude means:
- doing the best job you can – not the fastest job you can
- being careful on the job, and not engaging in horseplay
- staying focused on the task you’re performing
- being on the lookout for potential hazards, and reporting them to your supervisor as soon as possible
- taking precautions against hazards, such as using the personal protective equipment (PPE) we provide
- following all of our safety rules, and paying close attention to warning signs
- thinking about the safety of your co-workers, as well as yourself
- taking responsibility for your own safety – including immediately reporting any injuries
Remember, attitude affects behaviour. If you have a positive attitude, odds are you will exhibit safe behaviour. A negative attitude toward safety will only cause conflict, stress and, ultimately, an accident.
“The highest courage is to dare to be yourself in the face of adversity. Choosing right over wrong, ethics and morality over convenience, and truth over popularity…
these are the choices that measure your life.
Travel the path of integrity without looking back, for there is never a wrong time to do the right thing.” – Anonymous