Workplace Safety – Is it an unnecessary inconvenience or still relevant today?

 I have been interested in Workplace Safety for many many, to such an extent that I started to get Workplace Safety Training way back in 1998, when I attended my first Safety Representative Course and the rest is history.

I have attended numerous short courses covering workplace Health and Safety and also obtained formal Health and Safety Qualifications through University.

Workplace Safety Laws has improved over the years and employers are forced to comply with legislation. The shortfall we do have though, is not having Enforcement Inspectors to check whether those employers are still complying.

Workplaces at times preaches workplace safety but put production before Safety and in most cases without providing either the correct Workplace tools and or PPE.

Even though some believe that PPE is a last resort, it should be seen as point of departure.

PPE should be that reminder whilst one preparing themselves for their workday.

Employers must never even query a PPE budget, as the correct PPE could be the deciding factor between life and death.

In the absence of the required PPE, one should not continue to put oneself at risk.

The risk assessment per task should be to such an extent that all consequences and its severity is outlined.

Employees should always think of themselves as first responders responding to a shootout or as firefighters or paramedics proceeding to a life threatening emergency - always be mindful that you don the correct PPE, but also remember that YOUR OWN SAFETY ALWAYS COMES FIRST.

 

My questions today:

Would you compromise on your own health and safety?

Would you allow your team members to take shortcuts and work unsafe?

Do you comply with Workplace Health and Safety rules, and do you know the consequences of non-compliance?

Do you see your Safety Officers as an unnecessary inconvenience?

 

SO many questions ... SO little answers ...