TOOLBOX TALKS

TALK #15

The More Routine the Task … The “Bigger” the Safety Risk?

For some, safety only becomes an important consideration when they are doing a dangerous job or task. They rationalize that safety procedures can be bypassed or ignored when the task is simple, small, routine and seemingly presents little risk of injury. Unfortunately, this type of thinking is why many routine, and apparently safe tasks or jobs, end up resulting in the most serious of accidents.

Safe work habits should not be limited to those projects or tasks that are the most difficult or dangerous. Safe work habits should be part of your every day work routine. If safety is not incorporated into every job or task you do, it’s really only a matter of time before an accident occurs.

Think about the job you’re on now and the tasks you and other employees do each day. Maybe the project is just starting, or nearly finished. Both situations clearly make for less risk than at other times during the project, or do they? Or maybe it’s the size of the project. The so-called “smaller” projects present less safety risks, or do they?

in both cases, the answer is no. Safe work practices are required whether your project is just starting, or nearly finished. Safety is also important no matter the size of the project. Smaller projects should not encourage you to take safety shortcuts. Another temptation is many times on smaller projects, often no one, including the supervisor, is around to see you. It also doesn’t matter that you may have done a particular task a thousand times without incident. If you’re not doing that task safely, it’s only a matter of time before an accident occurs and your number may be up.

Safety is an attitude – and that attitude should be positive with no exceptions. Do the right thing and follow safety rules every day no matter the size or the stage of the project your on.