Work safe attitude

[boreality]

I'm wondering if a good book exists that explains the mind-set required to avoid injury on the job. I've read some good ones on being a winner in sports or being in the performance zone. Many of the same principles could apply to not getting hurt.

When your in a remote setting for example you realize even a twisted ankle could be the death of you, so it just doesn't happen, because you don't let it happen. On the job it could be being angry, tired or rushing that is the real cause of an injury and no amount of ppe, approved equipment and techniques is going to save you. I try to mention something to my helper every day that we don't get hurt here but I'd like to have better training tools. I like that psychological stuff and if anyone can refer an appropriate book I'd like to check it out. If it doesn't exist it's time for someone to write one.

 

[treeness]

I just read a book called Deep Survival by Laurence Gonzales that kind of touches on what your looking for. More so explaining mentalities in a life or death situation, but as well as the sequence of events that lead those people into those situations in the first place. His view of accidents is that accidents are preventable (most of the time), its a series of small events that left unchecked can build up to the said accident. Failing to focus and adapt yourself to an ever changing situation and letting emotion rule can pretty much land you up the ol' sh*t creek with out a paddle. Pretty good read. He references another book about chaos theory that I tried to get into awhile back but quantum physics and all the jazz is a bit much for me. It was mainly used as an example to explain our environment. That book is just called Chaos and its by I think James Gleick. To Google!

 

[boreality]

Well, ask and ye shall recieve. Thanks treebuzz and treeness.

 

[tcsafety]

You're both right in that most incidents occur because of some failure in our human nature. Even the best trained people in the world cannot get away from their nature, one can only minimize the times and ways in which it overides our training.

The attitude I always try to promote is for everyone to see safety as a moral value, not just a bumper sticker or hat decal. That takes it to a deeper level. When it gets to that level it becomes a great motivator to follow our training and experience, especially when we are distracted by issues or need to make a quick decision. It also encourages the crew members to actively care about each other when one shows up to the jobsite with their human baggage we all have to deal with at times. If everyone is on the same page they will take the reminders as people actually caring for them and not "nagging" (depending on how it's delivered, of course).

I got these ideas from Dr. E. Scott Geller and his People Based safety books and articles and added the "moral value' componant. In short, after developing competence and commitment, by promoting and living safety as a moral value encourages others around you to be pro-active in living it and watching out for others.

It's nice because it works with pretty much every type of worldview, religious or not, and even if you are trying to live under the illusion that there are no moral absolutes.

 

[porcupine]

I'm working up in northern Alberta for the oil industry right now.
The amount of paper work devoted to safety up here is mind blowing.
We have to fill out a Task Specific Field Level hazard Assessment every day
as well as a hazard Identification forms, daily vehicle inspection forms, safety meetings yada yada.

These companies have invested a ton of money coming up with safety
strategies. And yet people still do stupid things and get hurt all the time.

So how can you motivate people to not hurt them selves or others?
More paper work!

 

[fireaxe]

There is no such a thing as an accident, only errors.

One of the things I try to instill in staff is that not making the correct decision will lead to property damage and injuries. We spend OMFG way too many hours on CYA with paper. As company owner, CYA, I suppose, matters. Does this CYA really make people operate safer?

How many times do you or an employee run down the check off sheet for the truck and actually CHECK all of the items. I personally pay attention to all of the items and KNOW what is going on with my vehicle. The more frequent you have to run down that checklist, the worse the thoroughness gets.

Far too many accidents have occured within my company with vehicles. Of the notable ones, one was running a red light, one from running a stop sign, one from sending a text. Fatigue? One instance yes, two no.


A solid safety culture is one that will save you. It isn't about paper (though you can't prove it unless it exists). It is about recognizing those people that take a diminished responsibility for their actions. I literally HATE the word accident! It broke by accident? REALLY? It is INCONCIEVABLE that the 24" stub of wood could shatter a slate paver when falling 40'? I get "It was an accident". So sorry, if you are going to work for me, please understand, IT WAS NOT AN ACCIDENT! I could care less about the dam paver! I can fix that. Less than one month later, have that accident that could have very easily killed someone in a loaded truck... Can't fix that one. Safe operation depends on KNOWING what happens as a result of the things you do AND constantly WATCHING your co-workers to make sure THEY don't make a bad decision. Whether it is an equipment inspection, a MO, or an attitude.

IMO, we need to understand that it really is about the decisions! Before we go off and WRITE plans, require this or that PPE, fine guys for not following this or that policy solid decision making MUST BE TAUGHT and TRAINED. How do we force people to make good decisions? We can't - but we surely can compel them.

I haven't read many books about safety. I can give you one that comes to mind about accidents - well about stuff.

"What do YOU care what other people think? : further adventures of a curious character" Richard Feynman

 

[Tom Dunlap]

Deep Survival is a great book.

 

[treehumper]

I can't think of any book that deals with this topic.

In trying to compel others I've looked at a value based approach What is it we each value? Then I appeal to that in addressing safety? How will it affect the individuals ability to obtain what they value? As well, I like the crew to know each others' personal connections, wife, partner, kids, nephews, nieces, siblings, parents, etc.... Getting to know each other in a broader sense connects us to those people personally. It then becomes a question of, "Do you want to be the one who is responsible for telling those people about the loss of their loved one? I encourage a closer relationship with those that work together and must rely on to keep them safe.