My Life Monday What makes an effective safety program and what is the most important component in a safety program? The answer is the same for both questions. You will find the answer at the end of the presentation but hold on, don’t check the answer yet. Try the next question. “Safety can be applied whether you use shortcuts or follow procedures.” Do you agree or disagree? Take some time to think about your answer….. Can you justify your answer? Many say that shortcuts are risky....

Let’s say you agree and you justify your agreement using this scenario: When crossing a road, you don’t usually use the pedestrian crossing but to ensure your personal safety, you check the road and only cross when there are no vehicles in sight. Consider this example For those who don’t agree, you probably think that a pedestrian crossing is the only safe way to cross roads or highways as you never know when a vehicle will appear.

What is a “shortcut” when referring to workplace safety? A shortcut is the quickest way to get a job done. You might have to eliminate a few safety steps in order to complete the task. But does this assure personal safety? Lets look at some examples: Stepping over a moving conveyer belt instead of going around it. This is common at airports. Failing to fasten one’s seatbelt for a short vehicle trip. Laying a piece of plywood over a hole instead of barricading it. Working with chemicals without the proper protective equipment.

Being over confident- Being confident is good but overconfidence can be too much of a good thing. You are more likely to make mistakes if you’re not careful. Starting a task with incomplete instructions-if you don’t understand the instructions, ask questions. Asking questions indicate that you want a clear explanation and does not mean you are not intelligent or incapable of absorbing instructions. Ignoring safety procedures-Being casual about safety procedures will definitely lead to casualties. Distraction-You may be caught up in a conversation with a colleague while performing a dangerous task or if you are having a bad day, it could affect your overall performance. Stay focused on the job. By doing the job safely, you are preventing further complications. Failure to plan and observe- It is important to plan your task. Make sure you are aware of the safety procedures and hazards of your job, and that you have the right safety gear before attempting the task. Here are some other common accident causes.