Safety Tidbit 7.12 - What is your "Why" for Workplace Safety?

 Safety Tidbit 7.12 – What is your "Why" for Workplace Safety?

Reference: Innovative Safety Products LLC. (2021, July 22). What is your "why". Safety Talk Ideas. Retrieved from https://www.safetytalkideas.com/safetytalks/what-is-your-why/

This Safety Tidbit was written by my student, Ms. Megan Rutledge – a senior in the Safety Sciences Program at the Indiana University of PA, graduating in Summer 2022.

 

Everyone thinks differently about why they should put safety first while working or if they should even consider safety as a priority. It is crucial to find your "why" for working safely to drive continuous safety improvement in your workplace. Safely working may not come naturally to everyone, and you may argue that aspects of safely working go against our human nature. Motivation will vary for each individual. However, there should be motivation for everyone. 

 

Listed below are a few reasons that could drive you to find your "why" for choosing to work safely:

·       Your health. Personal health and well-being can be the most significant driving factor because injuries can impact your life. However, some individuals are willing to take risks if they think it only impacts themselves.

·       Your family. Whether you're working to help support your family or have a family at home that you value, the family could be your "why". The "why" puts into perspective that taking a risk will affect you and affect those you love.

·       Your coworkers. For some people, coworkers maybe their home away from home. Taking a shortcut at work or choosing to perform an unsafe task could cause harm to those around you. Taking a step back and realizing the damage it may cause someone else's life could be someone's "why."

·       Your company. An accident in the workplace can negatively impact a business. It could lead to a reduction in benefits, lower raises, or even layoffs. Your company also relies on you each day for production, and having an employee off work could affect production.

·       Your influence. The influence could be a personal reason for choosing your "why" or for those around you. Those around you will watch how you work and may base their actions on yours. If you are a more experienced worker, it is essential to set an example for the newer workers.

 

While these are only a few examples of your "why" for workplace safety, there are others that may pertain more to you. I encourage you to find your "why" before going to work each day and think of that reasoning as your workday continues.

 

I hope this was helpful, and thank you for reading my Safety Tidbits! Comments and questions are always welcome. ~ Bryan

 

P.S. If you have a new safety or health question, please let me know.