Last issue, we discussed whether it was hazards or is it hazardous energy. The conclusion is that it's really hazardous or potentially hazardous energy… which can move. People can also move, which means that eyes and mind on task are very important, which means that human error is important whenever people are moving or things around them are moving.
This will be a series of short articles designed to provide a different perspective—a paradigm shift -- in terms of how most of you think about industrial safety. And how most of you think about accidental injury causation in general.
Be careful, pay attention, watch what you’re doing, follow the rules... and you won’t get hurt!” Not exactly the most positive form of communication, is it?
Ask employees, “How many of you have been to a funeral for someone who was killed in a motor vehicle accident?†About 80 percent to 90 percent usually will put up their hands. Now ask, “How many of you know someone personally who’s been killed in a workplace incident, not just here, but anyplace you have worked?†Fifty percent to 70 percent of the hands will drop.
