Intentional Safety
“Safety First.” This is a common sign in workplaces that SCM visits, placed where employees can see it. But is safety first? Most employees would shake their heads, indicating safety is not first at work. Usually, production is first. Management often stresses that production goals must be met. Bonuses are given when the company makes money. And that’s a good thing, as we all like getting paid and extra money is good.
Most often, safety is third, or in safety-minded workplaces, it might creep up to being second. Keeping that premise in mind, it becomes even more important to be intentional about safety. We all want to go home at the end of our shifts, in one piece, and not injured or sick from some work-related incident. We can’t allow something as critical as our own safety to become haphazard.
What is intentional safety? The definition of the word “intentional” is something done deliberately or by design. You are intentional about doing a task in a way that you won’t be harmed. You chose a ladder that was the right height for the job and then inspected it before climbing it. You wore your safety glasses while doing a task that might cause particulates to get into your eyes. You were deliberate, and intentionally went about your daily tasks in a way that prevented incidents.
Intentional behaviors mean we must think before we act. Those of us who are parents might be grinning right now. How many times have we cautioned our children with those same words, “think before you act.” If it’s good enough of a reminder for our children, then it must be a good reminder for us, too.
Stressing the importance of production may cause people to try to work quicker. Hurrying can potentially cause us to lose focus on what we are doing. We are not trying to get you to slow down. But we do think it’s a good idea to be deliberate about putting into practice the ways that you have learned to be safe on the job.
Weekly Safety Challenge:
Where is safety placed at your work? Is it first, second, or third? What can you do to be intentional about safety on the job today? Try to engage those who are in higher levels within the organization, like managers, in the discussion regarding where safety fits in the organization from their perspective. Is safety “intentionally” a part of work planning or do they believe that we are safe enough because we have not had anyone injured?
