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Groups or workplaces that focus on eliminating unsafe acts consistently have better safety records than groups that focus on eliminating unsafe conditions. Even in the safest of conditions, an unsafe act can lead to tragedy.
Yet, even in situations where unsafe conditions exist, workers who approach their tasks with the goal of eliminating unsafe acts usually remain safe. While you cannot always control your environment or those around you, we absolutely can control our own actions.
Some of your actions may involve stopping work until unsafe conditions are corrected, or asking others to stop their work to consider what unsafe act or acts they are engaging in and if they can think of a safer approach. While you may be hesitant to do something like this, make no mistake about it, you are empowered to do so and in fact we expect it.
Understand that taking a safety shortcut to save time is not what management wants. You do not save time or money when an incident or accident occurs. In fact, it is the opposite, you cost more time and money than it would have if you had done the task as intended.
If you are a qualified employee who is properly doing the work you are trained to do, it is not your fault if the work isn’t meeting someone’s schedule. Do not risk your safety in the mistaken idea that your job depends on taking such a risk or that you will be rewarded for doing so. This is simply not the case, you are expected to work both efficiently and safely but when the choice is between the two, Safety always wins.
You can save time by working smarter. You risk losing enormous amounts of time, even your life, by working foolishly.
Examples of unsafe acts:
- Arc welding with no shields
- Not wearing safety glasses
- Stringing an extension cord loosely across a walkway
- Standing on the top rung of a stepladder
When entering the work area:
- Stop
- Look for unsafe conditions or unsafe acts in progress
- Smell for fumes, vapors, or smoke
- Listen for alarms. Also listen for leaks, especially if there is a high pressure process in the work area – or mechanical sounds that warn of danger.
Replacing unsafe acts with safe work practices
- Look at the situation. What tools, materials, equipment, procedures, assistance, and PPE are appropriate for doing the job?
- For PPE, think in terms of zones. Systematically asses the danger to each body zone so you get the right PPE, Head, eyes, ears, nose, mouth, lungs, torso, arms, hands, legs, feet.
- Ensure the tools and equipment you use are serviceable
- Ask “What if” questions. What if I crawl in there and pass out from a gas? What if I step up there and slip? What if that part is energized?
- Think through the job. What are the possible dangers? What steps can eliminate or reduce those dangers?
- Look for conditions that can change. Will the gravel under the ladder allow it to shift? Can someone else energize this circuit if I don’t lock it out? The answer to both questions is yes.
- Look for the typical hazards by type. For example, falling hazards: is there a danger of slipping, falling, or objects falling into you?
- Look for the dumb things you might do, and take precautionary steps. For example, “if im working in that panel, I might forget and lean against that exposed busbar, so I should cover it with a rubber blanket.”
As you can see there are many different unsafe conditions and acts that you could potentially face throughout your work day. Take the time to think things through and when needed, make the hard choice and do the right thing. Only you can protect yourself out there so make sure you don’t take it lightly.
