Create a Culture of Safety

“The Saskatchewan Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) officially released its 2014 injury rates. The data indicates a further decrease in the overall workplace injury rate despite an increase in the number of workers. In 2014, there were 402,894 Saskatchewan workers covered by WCB, over 4,000 more workers than the previous year.” WCB release March 23, 2015

“The most recent Association of Workers’ Compensation Boards of Canada (AWCBC) statistics show the national time loss injury rate average at 1.65 percent. While comparative data differs somewhat, Saskatchewan’s Time Loss injury rate is almost twice the national average at 2.41 percent.” WCB release March 23, 2015

With this information, what is your workplace doing to create a culture of safety?

It doesn’t take much from simply placing signs to warn of a wet floor, to maybe a well-stocked first aid kit or even training everyone in first aid and CPR. Tthere are a lot of things that a business can do to be safe. But it starts with you! You need to inspire your workforce to take ownership for being safe. Short cuts are not allowed. Trying to do something without reading instructions or following an established training procedure is not allowed. It only takes 5 minutes at the start of the shift or work day for a short safety briefing. Invite a guest speaker to come and talk on a topic.

When we establish a “culture of safety” we need to carry that home. Kicking off the shoes in the entrance, might create a trip hazard. Taking a cleaning solvent, pouring it on a rag and removing that stubborn stain without reading the label on the product might be hazardous. The safety habits we create at work need to be carried to our homes. We might wear hearing protection, eye protection or a hard hat at work, but think nothing of mowing the lawn at home in flip flops and shorts with our tunes plugged into our ears. If we won’t take short cuts at work, why do it at home? Making safety a priority at home is equally as important as it is in the workplace.

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Just as important  is to wear a seat belt, place your children in an appropriate car seat as required or limit, if not eliminate, distractions while driving.

Tthe home has plenty of hazards too! From poorly lit hallways; shoes, toys or other clutter on the stairs; slippery floors from water or a loose mat, we can all make our homes a bit safer. Keeping a list of emergency numbers close a hand, an updated list of medications in our purse or wallet, or even a regular check up to our doctor is more things we can do to be safe.

We need to have this mind set, just as we teach our children how to cross the street, ride a bike, or play their favorite sport, wear the gear, enjoy what you are doing but do it safely. If we have never worn safety glasses working in our own garage it isn’t second nature to reach for them. To create the mind set of always doing something we have to be reminded to do it. Just as the chimes in your car remind you to wear a seat belt, the instructions on the top of the product should remind you to read me first and follow me too!

A culture of safety from work to home or vice versa is we need to create. When it becomes second nature that you put safety glasses at home or not take a short cut in the workplace, we will improve those injury statistics WCB is talking about. Things are getting better, but one injury is one injury too many! Talk with your co-workers and family members. Find one way this week you can be safer at work or home. Then find another next week. Soon you will create a safer community!