Working with people is always fun for me because everyone is different. Different in how they think and behave. Also, people have different traits, values and beliefs that shape who they are. Some traits are good, some traits are bad and some traits are ugly.

What do I mean by that?

The ugly traits are the ones that are neither good nor bad. One of the challenges everyone needs to deal with is many positive human traits can work against us when it comes to safety. The trait itself is neither good nor bad, it’s how the trait is applied to the situation at hand.

Pride

Pride is a human value or trait that can be useful or harmful. Good workers are proud of their work. Pride is important when it comes to quality and customer service. People are rightfully proud of always being on time to work and their attendance history. They can be proud of their performance, production and many other things. From a safety perspective, the negative side of pride can work against us.
 
How many injuries each year occur because someone believed they were “better” than the people the safety procedure or policy was written for? How often do they think to themselves, “I know I’m supposed to lock this out before working on it but, ‘I’ll be careful’? This kind of pride can set someone up for an injury. Other phrases like, “It’s ok.,,I can see the hazard.” “I’ve always done it this way.” “I know what I’m doing.” are all dangerous. The more I write, the more comes to mind and I’m sure you can think of many yourself. “I know I haven’t gotten any sleep but I can drive just fine when I’m tired.” “I can drive better after a few drinks.” “I’m good at texting. I won’t hit anybody.”

Make sure your people are aware of these mental hazards that may set them up for an injury. Discussing them ahead of time will remind them they are dangerous ways to approach their task.

Creativity and Ingenuity

Obviously, these traits are valuable. In fact, creativity has led to many advances in safety. Without creativity, we would never improve products, services or advance as human beings. Your most creative employee is an asset.

From a safety perspective, how can this trait work against us?

Shortcuts!

I remember my mom saying years ago only lazy people take shortcuts. Today, I’m not so sure that is the case. In today’s workplace, many outstanding employees are constantly looking for a way to do their job quicker and better. Sometimes they come up with a process that improves both production and safety; sometimes not so. In some cases, the shortcut comes from the creative thinking if I skip this step, process, or personal protective device, I can save time. I suspect this combines with pride to set us up for injuries.

Love

How can love set us up for an injury?

Love is actually a major reason many people want to work safely. Workers have family at home whom they love and who love them. They want to work safely to get home to them every day. That same love is why we go to work. We want to provide a better life for those we love. I know many people who have worked two jobs just to provide for their kids.
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I also know in some workplaces in this country, the commitment to safety isn’t what it should be. Even within large organizations that hold safety as a value there can be some supervisors at different levels who believe, “accidents happen” and they ask their people to take risks that could result in an injury. How many times each day does someone do something unsafe their leadership encouraged in order for them to keep their job?

As leaders, we need to make sure we never intimidate someone into doing something to save their job that would put them at risk. There can be a silent unseen pressure that would encourage bypassing safety procedures.

Dedication, Commitment, and Reliability

We all look for people to join our team we can consistently count on. People like this often are dedicated to their work. They are committed to achieving the necessary outcome and they are reliable. We can always count on them no matter what the circumstances.

The dedicated, reliable and committed employee is great, but when the schedule is behind and everything is working against getting the job done, the reliable employee may take a risk you would never ask them to take. I encourage leaders to always remind their best people they would never want them to take a risk they wouldn’t want their children to take. Most people whether they have children or not get the safety standard expressed here.
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Self-sufficiency

Being self-sufficient is another admirable trait that can run against the safest approach to life. We encourage our children to learn and then grow up and move out on their own. We are proud of them when they do. Being willing to take personal responsibility to get the job done is good.

However, when it leads to someone being reluctant to ask for the help from others it can be a problem. There are times when safety requires us to get someone’s help or assistance. Having a spotter do certain jobs may take more manpower but everyone is safer.

When I was doing entertainment magic I would often do shows at a school assembly rewarding students for their attendance or academic achievement. When I left the parking lot I always asked a staff member to accompany me to watch behind my vehicle as I backed out. I never wanted some child to try to “fool the magician” and hide behind a tire or the back of the car. You can think of many situations where taking the time and the manpower is more important than doing it alone from a safety perspective.

Respect

We teach our children to respect their elders. In the workplace, position, experience, or seniority earn some people some level of respect. Even if you don’t respect the person you may respect the position. Respect can get in the way of helping others work safely.

Years ago, a top executive of one of my clients shared with me he had recently visited a job site and entered it without a hard hat. It just slipped his mind. Very soon after, one of the workers noticed and walked over, telling him he needed a hard hat if he was going to be at the site. He thanked him and went to the office to get one. He later learned a supervisor on the site had scolded the employee, explaining the executive was a senior vice president with the company and he shouldn’t tell him what to do. When this story reached the executive he contacted the supervisor and informed him of his error. The employee was absolutely right to watch out for his safety and insist on his wearing a hard hat. The supervisor had to apologize to the employee and now knew the expectations of the company.

How To Handle These Challenges

One of the best things you can do is discuss them and bring them to the awareness of your employees. When they consciously think about them they are more likely to apply safety as the standard and not let these otherwise positive traits betray them and set them up for an injury.

Until next time,
I'll be, "Watching Out For Everyone's Safety™"
John