Tag: Weekly Safety Message 29

Rationalizing Unsafe Choices Safety Talk

Making the decision to follow every single safety rule or procedure does not come naturally to us. We constantly have to work towards making the right decisions every single day. Many times individuals find ways to rationalize not working safely. It is important for each worker to recognize this error trap and address it when it arises.

Why We Rationalize Unsafe Choices

For the most part, we all know what the right choice is when it comes to safety during a specific work task. Safety training, policies, procedures, labels, etc., all communicate what needs to be done in order to mitigate hazards and work safely. The problem is, there are many factors that affect whether or not we want to make the right decisions at a given moment. A few of these factors include:

• Time pressure
• Lack of supervision around
• Lack of enforcement of rules
• Energy levels
• Mood

Individuals facing one or more of these factors will use them to rationalize to themselves why a certain safety rule does not need to be followed. For example, “I forgot my fall protection, but it will only take a minute to go up and right back down, so I will be fine.” We have all rationalized poor choices- whether it was choosing not to wear fall protection or rationalizing hitting snooze seven times before getting out of bed.

“It is the Normal Thing to Do”

When there are other people around who are not making the right choices when it comes to safety, it becomes the “normal” thing to do despite not being the correct thing to do. When the norm is working unsafe, it makes it difficult for even the individuals who want to work safely to do so. Do not rely on a supervisor or safety person to have to tell you to do the right thing. Make the choice to do what is right despite what others may be doing.

Summary

Recognize when you are falling into the trap of rationalizing a poor decision, whether that is in your personal life or while on the job. Fight the urge to make the easy decision. Be a worker who follows the rules and helps reinforce a norm of adhering to safe work practices and procedures.

Discussion point: What is an example of rationalizing a decision to work unsafe?

Rationalizing Unsafe Choices

Emergency Exits Safety Talk

Emergency exits serve to provide a clear route away from danger. Prevalent in public buildings and other urban settings, emergency exits are vital in the workplace as well. No matter the environment, companies must provide designated escape paths should a life-threatening event occur. Unfortunately, emergency exits are not identified and communicated to individuals all too often, resulting in incidents and injuries. Additionally, emergency exits that are not maintained and can provide additional danger when they are needed.

This safety talk identifies the methods that can communicate the whereabouts of emergency exits to individuals and visitors. Additionally, the best practices listed below can educate individuals on ensuring they remain accessible.

Communicating the Availability of Emergency Exits

• Facilities should orientate newly hired employees and all visitors to the location of emergency exits.
• Employees visiting customer facilities should request an orientation if it is not offered to learn the locations of emergency exits.
• Emergency exit maps should be published and visible to all in the workplace.

Best Practices to Maintain Emergency Exits

• Signage indicating emergency exits should always be visible and not blocked with objects identifying their locations.
• Employees should refrain from storing or stacking materials anywhere in emergency exits.
• Extension cords and other tools should not be placed in emergency exits as they can cause injuries from tripping and stumbling.
• Any marking or painting of emergency exits should be kept clean and newly coated to ensure visibility.
• Emergency exits should be inspected regularly to ensure safe use.

Summary

Emergency exits serve a vital purpose in ensuring safety. Correctly identifying and educating all individuals on their whereabouts can lead people to safety in the event of an emergency. Properly maintaining these exits can ensure they remain as effectively designed. Take time today to understand where your nearest emergency exits are and ensure that the path to them is clear.

Discussion points:      

1. Where are the nearest emergency exits in your work area?
2. Is it acceptable to store objects near an emergency exit if it is just for a short period of time?

Emergency Exits

Unsafe Conditions Safety Talk

Unsafe conditions will always exist in the world around us. That being said, it is possible to eliminate the majority of the hazards found in our workplaces in order to prevent injuries on the job. It is necessary not only to recognize that these kinds of conditions exist around you but also to take action to eliminate or mitigate them. This safety talk discusses common unsafe conditions and mitigation actions to address the conditions.

Two Common Types of Unsafe Conditions

There is an endless list of possible unsafe conditions found on the job. Two types that can be found in almost any workplace are slip, trip, and fall hazards and pinch point hazards.

1. Slips, trips, and falls are responsible for many injuries on the job year after year. Many of these incidents are a direct result of an unsafe condition. Objects on the ground are a common example. Other unsafe conditions that lead to slips, trips, and fall injuries include slippery floors, unmarked changes in elevations in walking surfaces, cluttered work areas, unprotected edges, open holes, etc.
2. Pinch points are also commonly found in workplaces. Pinch points are defined as any point where it is possible for a body part to be caught between moving and stationary portions of equipment. Pinch points can come in a variety of shapes and sizes. A couple of examples of unsafe conditions relating to pinch points are points of operation on machinery, unguarded moving equipment, and rotating parts.

Addressing Unsafe Conditions

Depending on what the unsafe condition is, it will determine what action is needed to correct it. A basic overview of addressing any hazard in the workplace:

• Stop and take the time to evaluate your work area and work task.
• Recognize unsafe conditions or what can possibly turn into one.
• Take action to immediately correct the condition if possible.
• Stop work and involve other personnel to have the condition corrected if the situation requires you to do so.
• Follow through to ensure any hazards you identified are properly mitigated.
• Continue to evaluate your work area throughout the workday for possible new hazards.

Summary

Unsafe conditions do exist all around us, and it is true that not every single possible hazard in life can be eliminated. However, we all can take ownership and responsibility for the work that we do to eliminate the ones we identify. Every unsafe condition that is corrected results in a lesser risk of someone being injured on the job.

Discussion point:

What are some other examples of unsafe conditions that can be found at our worksite?

Unsafe Conditions in the Workplace

Wind Chill Index Cold Weather Safety Talk

Cold weather poses many hazards for those individuals who are required to be exposed to it during their work. The winter months bring the possibility of additional workplace injuries and illnesses. Some direct consequences of being exposed to cold environments include frostbite, trench foot, and hypothermia. One factor to consider when working in a cold-weather environment is the effect wind speed has on the temperature on the body.

Wind Chill Index

The presence of wind in an already cold environment can pose a deadly combination. It is important to realize the effect wind has when paired with cold temperatures. For example, if it is 10 degrees Fahrenheit outside and there are also 20 MPH winds present, the temperature actually feels like -9 degrees Fahrenheit to the body. Because of the danger wind poses in cold weather, the National Weather Service will often issue wind chill advisories and warnings when a deadly combination of wind and cold air threaten an area.

Below is a handy wind chill chart provided by the National Weather Service to determine what the temperature actually is when the wind is present. (See also- wind chill calculator) 

Best Practices to Avoid Cold Stress-Related Health Hazards

• Eliminate or limit work as much as possible when extremely cold temperatures are present. (The ACGIH established recommendations for work in colder temperatures that can be found here.)
• Allow for acclimatization to cold environments or weather. If the weather is extremely cold for the area or time of year, you will not yet be used to it and are more susceptible to succumbing to a cold-related illness.
• Layer up on clothing and keep clothes dry. It is important to remove any wet clothing or boots and put on dry items when working in a cold environment.
• Take breaks in warm areas or vehicles as needed.
• Drink warm beverages to help warm up your core temperature.
• Monitor the condition of other workers around you. If you notice something could be wrong, get them into a warm area and notify a supervisor.

Summary

Cold weather brings additional hazards for workers who are exposed to colder temperatures. Winds can create a dangerous situation in cold weather climates. Follow best practices when working in cold weather environments to lessen the chance of becoming a victim of frostbite, trench foot, or hypothermia.

Wind Chill Index