PILLAR - SAFETY PLAN: THE CASE FOR VIGILANT 24/7 SAFETY

December 2024 - Series of Five

PILLAR - SAFETY

THE CASE FOR VIGILANT 24/7 SAFETY

ON THE JOB SAFETY TRAINING

When we arrive home, the safety training we receive at work is often placed back inside our "work" toolbox as we assume the role of master of our castle. Does this mean that the training received at work does not apply to our home environment? No, but (and there is always a but) some believe the safety risk at home is significantly less than that of our work environment.

Statistics show most accidents (outside of work) happen within 5 miles of our castle. That fact should increase our awareness of safety around the home.

WE HAVE COME A LONG WAY

We visited Hoover Dam. While queuing up for our tour into the bowels of the dam, we saw a picture of a worker who helped make the dam a reality. He is dressed as follows:

·   No shirt;

·   No safety glasses;

·   No gloves for his hands;

·   Wearing jean shorts; and,

·   A hat made from cloth (No hard hat)

He is jackhammering the rock at the dam. Under today's safety regulations, OSHA would have a field day with this company and the worker.

ENTER MY NEIGHBOR AT THANKSGIVING

It is the day after Thanksgiving—the turkey leftovers are still available for consumption… My neighbor has decided to start his outside decorations for Christmas. How will he install the lights on the house? Of course, using a ladder that is not tied off, he will climb onto the roof, hang over the edge, and suspend the lights on nails in the fascia board. All activities will be performed without the support of a family member on the ground (in case of an emergency).

Would this approach to Christmas lights be approved where you work? We believe the risks to our health are more significant at work than at home. However, if we use faulty logic to convince ourselves of this premise, we have, in reality, increased the level of risk within our home.

Maybe exterior Christmas lights are not worth the risk…