What’s All the Fuss About Safety?

Safety is a state of mind. Accidents are the leading cause of death among all people age 1-38 in the United States. In fact, accidents cause one injury every four seconds and kill 11 people every hour. Don't become a statistic: most accidents are caused by factors you can do something about. Beware of the “It won't happen to me” syndrome. It CAN happen to you. Expect the unexpected. The more types of accidents you can foresee, the better you can guard against them. Don't bet on the odds of not getting hurt. Make a conscious decision not to gamble with your own or someone else's life.

Recognize accidents before they happen. Can you be sure you won't have a work injury? No. Can you work so that you improve your chances of avoiding injuries? Sure! The way you do your work can make a big difference to your safety record. You can prevent accidents from occurring by:

• Becoming more aware of your surroundings
• Asking for help when uncertain about a situation
• Checking on proper procedures before starting a task
• Taking your time and not rushing to complete a task
• Wearing safety equipment to protect yourself when required

Safety begins with you. Developing a safety instinct and learning to analyze potentially dangerous situations can significantly improve your odds of remaining injury-free. Here are some things to think about. Do I know enough about what I'm doing? Should I get help from someone? What risks are involved? Which risks can I avoid? What can I do to keep from getting hurt by hazards I can't control? Is my mind clear and free of distraction?

In order to prevent an accident, you have to be in the right frame of mind. Distorted thinking and ill tempers can cloud perception and increase the risk of having an accident. Fatigue or being under the influence of alcohol or drugs can significantly increase your risk. Quick tempers, frustration, depression or hostility can cloud judgment and also help set the stage for an accident. If upset or angry, take time out to “cool off” before you take action.

And always remember safety is a mind set and it starts with you. If you see a potentially dangerous situation, notify your supervisor and/or submit a Near Miss form to the HR office.

Author Info: Cheryl Knupp

Cheryl Knupp is the Senior VP of Health Services here at beatitudes campus. Learn more about Beatitudes