JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. –
Safety is a combination of attitude, behavior and control, both on and off the job!
· Attitude is your frame of mind when you approach a given situation.
· Behavior is what you will do about the situation.
· Control refers to making your surroundings safe.
A safe attitude means staying alert and focused on the job at hand. There is no horseplay and you don't let emotions like anger and frustration get in the way of job performance. When you train your people to complete a task properly, you are also training them to do it safely. Each person is responsible for using this knowledge to prevent mishaps.
How you react or your behavior toward a situation is an important part of being safe. Following established safety guidelines and procedures, refusing to take "short cuts," using personal protective equipment or asking questions about the task at hand are examples of safe behavior.
Control is taking the responsibility of ensuring a safe work environment. Keep your surroundings clean and neat. Clean up spills and debris. Make sure walkways are free of obstacles and report unsafe conditions to your supervisor. He is in day-to-day contact with workers and is in the best position to spot human errors. Also, help them understand the importance of safety practices.
Most people think of their homes as sanctuaries from hazards. However, records show many injuries occur in the home. Hazards are often ignored because they are not recognized as hazards. While at home, people are more likely to use unsafe equipment and perform unsafe acts than they would on the job.
Attitude, behavior and control are the three most important aspects of personal safety on and off the job. Take a moment to review your safety ABCs to see if you're doing all you can to protect yourself, coworkers and loved ones from needless injury.