Toolbox Talk: Safety Attitudes
Why do you go to work? To earn money? To pay bills? To be able to buy things? In essence, all these things, so you can have a better life? If you sustain a serious injury, permanent or partial disability at work, is the result likely to be a better life?
Everyone deserves to work in a safe and healthy environment and return to their families at the end of each workday.
A good, safe work environment starts with a good attitude towards safety.
A Moment is all it takes, which is a reminder that a safety incident can happen at any time. On the flip side of this, a moment’s thought about safety can help to reduce potential risks and prevent harm.
It has often been said that incidents and accidents are the result of a “human error”. Attributing incidents to “human error” has often been seen as a sufficient explanation in itself and something which is beyond the control of managers. This view is no longer acceptable to society as a whole as there is wider acceptance of other factors, including technical and organizational, that lead to a final result.
If you saw a young child playing with a nail gun, would you feel concern for their health and safety? Would you be compelled to say or do something?
Would you be compelled to say or do something if you saw your workmate about to cut into a steel pipe above his head with an angle grinder with no eye protection?
We work with our head, heart, and hands. You can teach people to work with their hands, but we must inspire each other for their hearts and earn the engagement of their minds.
A positive safety attitude can result in improved workplace health and safety (WHS) and organizational performance. Meaningful two-way communication is key to heightening hazard and risk awareness.
Questions?
how important is safety?Is safety important most of the time or all of the time?Is it okay to compromise on safety if it’s going to be more expensive?
Values:
