Rushing Can Hurt
by Dr. Isabel Perry, “The
Safety Doctor”
(391 words)
We’ve all been in a situation at one time or another where
we were in a hurry, didn’t pay close attention to what we were doing, and ended
up with an injury. Hurrying on the job can
cause both minor accidents and life-threatening injuries. You may hurry dozens of times without
incident, until finally it happens – an accident. The old adage, “Haste makes waste,” is all
too true.
Have you done any of these?
¨
Used the wrong ladder because the one you
needed wasn’t close by?
¨
Climbed a ladder with tools stuck in your
pockets or in your hand because you didn’t have a tool belt?
¨
Reached a little further on the ladder
rather than get down and move it?
¨
Climbed up the side of a bin or shelving unit
instead of getting a ladder?
¨
Not worn safety glasses because the job would only
take a few minutes?
¨
Used a dull saw blade for just one more cut?
¨
Removed a guard to repair your machine, and not
gotten around to putting it back?
¨
Cut the grounding prong off a three-way ground
wire plug because you didn’t have an adapter?
¨
Used a wrench instead of a hammer because your
toolbox was not close?
¨
Not unplugged a power tool before making
adjustments, because you’d only have to plug it in again – or the plug was a
little distance away?
¨
Given a forklift truck just as little more
“pedal” so you could get one more load in before lunch?
¨
Not slowed down at a blind corner because you
never saw anyone there before?
I’m sure you can come up with a dozen more examples of shortcuts
you’ve taken, or seen co-workers take, to get the job done more quickly. Sometimes nothing happens, sometimes there
are near misses, until finally there is a real accident and you, or someone you
work or live with, gets hurt. Yes,
someone you live with; what we do at work carries over into what we do at
home. Our children follow our
example. If we take shortcuts, they will
do the same thing, assuming it’s all right because they saw us do it.
Practice safety everywhere. You can never be too careful. The example you set may save your life, or
the life of someone you love.
Dr. Isabel Perry is
an internationally-known safety expert, motivational speaker, author and safety
educator. Based in Orlando, Florida, she can be reached at 407-291-1209 or via e-mail at
[email protected]