Tag: Weekly Safety Message 32

  • Three Way Communication

    How to Use Three Way Communication

    Three-Way Communication Safety Talk

    Communication is critical to working safely and efficiently. While the process of verbal communication seems straight forward there are many issues to consider. This safety talk focuses on the issues revolving around verbal communication and using a best practice called three-way communication to improve communication between employees during work tasks.

    Common Problems to Consider with Verbal Communication

    There are many issues that affect whether or not our desired message is getting across to the receiver correctly. Some common issues to consider:

    • Culture Barriers- Many people speak English as a second language and may not understand what is being said. Even in different geographical regions of the same country, cultural barriers can exist.
    • Assumptions- Making assumptions about what someone is trying to say or will say can be a dangerous mistake at work. Making assumptions about what message someone is trying to convey can be affected by mood, distractions, time pressure, etc.
    • Mixed or Confusing Messages- Poor word choices or long-winded messages can lead to confusion.

    Verbal communication through face-to-face conversations can experience any or all of the issues mentioned above. Any issue or problem with the message being sent is increased when using a radio or phone to verbally communicate with coworkers. Along with the above-mentioned issues, there are other issues when communicating with these devices, such as interference, poor reception, background noise, lack of nonverbal cues, etc.

    A tool to help address the above issues to ensure that the correct message is being sent and understood is “three-way communication,” also called the repeat back process.

    Three-Way Communication as a Best Practice

    Three-way communication can be very effective in validating the message being sent between the sender and receiver, thus reducing the chance of a mistake occurring during a work task.

    How Three-Way Communication Works

    The basic outline of three-way communication is as follows:

    1. The sender states his message to the receiver.
    2. The receiver acknowledges the communication by repeating the critical information in the communication back to the sender. If the receiver did not understand the communication, then he has to ask the sender for clarification.
    3. The last step is the sender confirms the message is correctly understood by the receiver, or if it is not understood, the sender has to indicate that the message is not understood, and the three-way communication process has to start over.

    Here is a basic scenario in a workplace: Two mechanics are aligning a belt on a conveyor, and they are communicating via radio since they are not close to each other. The process involves powering the conveyor to align the belt.

    Sender: I am away from belt, you are clear to energize the belt to track it into place.
    Receiver: You are away from the belt, I can energize the belt now.
    Sender: That is correct, clear to energize.

    Summary

    There are many issues in every form of communication. While verbal communication seems like a straightforward way to convey a message compared to an email or text, there are still many issues that can be present while using it. Three-way communication can be critical in verifying a message is understood during a work task which can make all the difference in whether a worker is injured or not.

    Three Way Communication

  • Happy 100th, Memorial

    Memorial Hall, UD’s iconic building, turns 100. Once a Library, Post Office, and WWI memorial, it now houses academic departments, symbolizing traditional, pride, and scholarly gravitas for generations of students and faculty since its 1925 dedication. (UDAILY)

     

  • The Negative Side of Quick Reactions

    The Negative Side of Quick Reactions Safety Talk

    There are many times when quick reactions put people in the line of fire where they can be hurt. A person sees a situation occurring, and in an instant, their mind tells their body how to react. At work, an impulsive decision to jump in and try to help in a situation going wrong may be the last decision a person makes. It is important to consider what our first reaction may be to certain situations and attempt to fight the urge to react impulsively without thought.

    downsides of quick reaction times toolbox talkA Look at Reaction Time

    One would think that reaction time would take a lot longer than it actually does due to all the moving parts our bodies have responding to one another. As an example, we will look at an object falling to the floor. In the example scenario, a hammer is sitting on a shelf. A mechanic bumps the shelf, and the hammer slides over the edge and begins to fall. The mechanic sees this occurring, and in less than half a second, he sticks his hand out in an attempt to catch the hammer.

    In the small amount of time from the hammer beginning to fall to the mechanic reaching out his hand, a lot of processes are occurring in his body to create this reaction. According to ScientificAmerican.com, first, the information travels from sensory cells called neurons from the eye to the brain’s visual cortex, an area devoted to understanding what you see. Next, the motor cortex—the part of the brain that directs movement—has to send signals along your spinal cord and to your arm, hand and finger muscles, telling them to respond in the proper sequence to catch the hammer—quick!

    Implications of Quick Reactions

    While the fact that all of these processes take place in under half a second is amazing, it can also serve as the nail in the coffin during a bad situation at work. In our dropped hammer scenario, what if there is moving machinery in the path where he is sticking his hand or a hot surface? A crushed finger injury would also be very likely if he finds his hand between the hammer and a surface below. While these injuries are relatively minor, there are many examples of bad incidents that turned deadly due to a quick reaction by someone nearby.

    Deadly Scenarios Involving Quick Reactions

    An all too common occurrence in confined space work is multiple fatalities. There have been many situations when one worker falls victim to hazardous conditions in a confined space, and then bystanders make the quick decision and react to try to rescue the victim. The hopeful rescuers quickly become victims themselves.

    Another example of a deadly quick reaction is shown in a recent video that has surfaced on the internet. The video is of a forklift that is past its lifting capacity when it starts to tip forward while loading a truck. A woman reacts without thought and jumps to grab onto the counterweight in an attempt to pull the forklift down. As the forklift continues to tip forward, the load drops onto the ground, which sends the counterweight back down to the ground. The problem is the woman has fallen off the counterweight and is crushed underneath the forklift.

    Woman Crushed by Forklift

    Summary

    There are times when a quick reaction is the only thing that saves a person’s life. On the other hand, there are also times when quick reactions put people who are completely safe during a bad situation in harm’s way. Be aware of the impulse to act without proper thought. Taking even just a second to evaluate the implications of a decision to act may make the difference in preventing an injury to you or a coworker.

    Discussion point:

    • What are some other examples of when a quick reaction can do more harm than good?

    The Negative Side of Quick Reactions

  • UD Commencement 2025

    At UD’s 2025 Commencement, Alumnus Matt O’Donnell urged graduates to embrace technology with humanity. President Assanis echoed this, highlighting creativity and empathy as irreplaceable. Over 6,400 graduates were celebrated. (UDAILY)

     

  • Full Staff

  • 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