Everyone has heard the old adage “Experience is the best teacher.” Although it’s true that you remember what you learned from an experience, especially a bad one, you might not like the other consequences that are part of the learning process.
This is especially true when it comes to on-the-job safety. Learning from a bad experience usually involves injury, and sometimes death. This shouldn’t have to be the case. But unfortunately, not exercising proper caution and not paying careful attention can lead to these outcomes.
You probably hear a supervisor tell you or your co-workers, “Be careful,” or “Pay attention” any number of times during the day. The next time you hear those words, stop a minute and think of all the reasons you should be careful. Then follow that supervisor’s advice, so you can avoid having an accident that might be the last thing you ever learn.
You might be thinking, “I’m experienced, I don’t have accidents.” If you are, you’re setting yourself up for a bad learning experience. Accidents happen when you least expect them, and no worker, no matter how experienced, has any special immunity from having an accident. That’s why it’s so important to follow safe work procedures. They are designed to help you avoid the causes of possible injury while getting the job done correctly. That’s also the reason your employer provides you with personal protective equipment (PPE), because using it prevents or minimizes the probability that you will be injured.
Always remember your brain is your best defense against injury. Let it remind you to:
- Follow proper work procedures at all times. Never take short cuts, even if you think that they will save time. All of the time you save will be lost if your short cuts cause you to be injured.
- Concentrate on the task at hand. That means giving it your full attention until it’s completed. Avoid any kind of distraction, such as talking, or joking around with co-workers because they can result in your being seriously hurt.
- Use PPE whenever appropriate. Be sure it fits correctly, and that you wear it in the manner it was intended.
