Tag: Weekly Safety Message 05

  • Half Staff

    The United States Flag at Half-Staff on Monday, May 26th, 2025, in Honor of Memorial Day.

  • Apartment Complex Coming to STAR

    A 229-unit apartment complex is coming to the University of Delaware’s STAR Campus, marking a major step towards its vision of a vibrant live-work-learn community, led by developer Buccini Pollin Group. (UDAILY)

     

  • It Won’t Happen to Me

    It Won’t Happen to Me Safety Talk

    There are many excuses someone will give for not working safely. Some common excuses include: I didn’t know, I didn’t have time, I lost my PPE, nothing will happen, etc. One of the worst excuses to have for not working safely is an “it won’t happen to me” mindset. This excuse communicates a mindset that is set on not completing a task safely or shows a person is relying on luck to keep safe while on the job.

    Chainsaw SafetyExperience and Attitude Towards Workplace Safety

    There is no substitute for experience. Experience, for the most part, allows us to work more efficiently and safely; however, this is not always the case. Experience can also lead to complacency or a higher level of tolerance for risk. When an employee has done the same task or has been in the same occupation for many years, they can have the “it won’t happen to me mindset.”

    This doesn’t mean that newer employees cannot have the same mindset, but it is often very experienced employees who fall into this mindset trap. We have all heard stories of experienced workers or supervisors getting seriously injured from becoming complacent about known hazards. It is necessary to be mindful of your attitude toward safety on the job.

    Why it is Necessary to Avoid This Mindset

    Complacency can be hard to avoid; however, having the mindset that an incident or injury will not happen can put you at great risk of sustaining an injury. Believing you are not susceptible to the hazards of the job is a quick way to be injured. No one is able to avoid injury from the majority of hazards from just having experience alone. It takes action on top of that experience to ensure safeguards are in place and safe work practices are being followed to avoid injury. No matter how much experience you have, the necessary steps still need to be taken to prevent an incident from occurring.

    Summary

    Do not let experience on the job affect your attitude towards taking the correct steps to work safe. Hazards need to be controlled. They are only controlled when we as workers, take the time to implement the proper safeguards and follow safe work practices. Evaluate your attitude toward safety as well as what hazards or work tasks you may have become complacent towards.

    It Won’t Happen to Me

  • Laura Carlson Named Interim UD President

    Laura Carlson, UD provost since 2022, has been named interim University of Delaware president effective July 1, succeeding Dennis Assanis. With extensive academic leadership experience, she will guide the university while a search for a permanent president begins. (UDAILY)

     

  • Three Self-Centered Reasons to Work Safely

    Three Self-centered Reasons to Work Safely (Safety Talk)

    Everyone has their reasons for why they do certain things or why they may choose not to do something. Safety on the job or even just at home is no different. There are many different reasons why you should want to work safely. While working safely benefits everyone on the job, some people may need to approach safety from a self-centered perspective to reinforce making the right choices on the job.

    Three Self-centered Reasons to Work Safe

    1. Your health. Obviously, your health and well-being should be the biggest motivator as to why you should choose to work safely. Once we lose our health or impact it severely, it may never be the same. It is important to really think about how a severe injury would change the rest of your life.
    2. Providing for your family. Your family depends on your ability to earn an income. When you are injured or ill, you can lose that ability very quickly. Even if it is only for a short time, the financial and emotional effects on your family can be drastic.
    3. Your reputation. While productive employees are still very much rewarded at many companies, working safely is often recognized right along with production. Your reputation at work not only affects you in your current position, but it also can affect getting a future promotion at your company or opportunities at other companies. No one wants to reward a risk-taker or put them in a position of power when safety is paramount. If it is known that you are a worker that cuts take safety homecorners or does not work safely, it could make all the difference in whether or not you get the chance at a better opportunity.

    Summary

    You should want to work safely not only for yourself but for your coworkers and the company you work for as well. Choosing to take safety risks affects you and your family the most, but it also can have serious negative effects for everyone else around you. The next time you are considering taking a shortcut while on the job, think about what you have to lose personally as well as the negative effects for everyone else around you.

    Discussion point:

    -What are some other reasons why we should want to work safely?

    Three Self-Centered Reasons to Work Safely

     

     

  • Full Staff

  • Half Staff

    The United States Flag at Half-Staff on Thursday, May 15th, 2025, in Honor of Peace Officers Memorial.

  • Heat Disorders – Dehydration

    Heat Disorders – Dehydration

     Safety Toolbox Talk Webmaster

    This week we’ve been looking at various heat stress disorders that may affect us as the summer heat increases the temperature and humidity of our facility. During the summer, we must all take precautions to ensure our bodies don’t get over heated.

    Today we’ll look at dehydration. Although it is technically not a heat disorder, it is certainly related.

    Dehydration occurs when you lose more fluid than you take in and your body doesn’t have enough water and other fluids to carry out its normal functions. If lost fluid remains unreplenished, you may suffer serious consequences.

    Common causes of dehydration include intense bouts of diarrhea, vomiting, fever or excessive sweating. Inadequate intake of water during hot weather or exercise also may deplete your body’s water stores. Anyone may become dehydrated, but young children, older adults and people with chronic illnesses are most at risk.

    Mild dehydration can cause symptoms such as

    • Dry, sticky mouth
    • Sleepiness or tiredness
    • Thirst
    • Decreased urine output
    • Few or no tears when crying
    • Muscle weakness
    • Headache
    • Dizziness or lightheadedness

    Dehydration can be treated by replenishing the lost fluids your body has lost. Drink at least 32 ounces of water or sports drinks slowly and steadily. Rest, if you don’t feel better, drink more slowly and steadily.

    https://safetytoolboxtopics.com/Seasonal/heat-disorders-dehydration.html

     

  • University of Delaware President Announces Plans to Step Down

    University of Delaware President Dennis Assanis will step down June 30 after leading since 2016, driving major growth in academics, research, diversity, infrastructure, and philanthropy while advancing student success and national ranking. (UDaily)

     

  • Full Staff