Denver Risk Management

BUZZ ON LOSS PREVENTION

Every day we influence the people around us in a positive or negative way by what we say or don’t say, do or don’t do.  Being around people who promote and practice loss prevention creates a safer environment for everyone.  People who are careless or don’t feel they have time for loss prevention create an unsafe environment in which to work.

New employees watch the more experienced employees and take their cues from what they do.  No matter how much training new employees are given, if the more experienced workers around them are not practicing safe work habits, eventually the new employees will emulate them, putting themselves and possibly others in danger.

No matter what your position is, you can be a loss prevention leader by quietly doing what’s right and by recommending that others do the same.  If someone asks your opinion about whether a loss prevention precaution is necessary, be a proponent.  You could be saving their life.  Influence others by following these simple guidelines:

¨      Don’t take shortcuts

¨      Use guards and safety devices

¨      Focus on what you are doing – don’t get distracted

Remember that not only your co-workers, but supervisors and citizens will observe what you do. Sloppy habits reflect a sloppy operation and make a poor impression. Be a loss prevention leader. You will stay safe, and you can help others stay safe too.

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? 

·      Sat at your computer and started working without making the correct adjustments to your work area?

·      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. Usually nothing happens, 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

Sharon Bankes

Safety and Industrial Hygiene Administrator

Risk Management / Safety Unit

Resource(s) –Behavior Based Safety

Have a work related safety concern, comment, idea? Contact your department/agency safety representative or email Buzzonsafety@denvergov.org