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5 Things I’d Never Do After Working as a Safety Professional
I’ve been working as a safety professional for over 6 years now, and in that time, I’ve seen a lot of things. I’ve seen people get hurt, some almost killed. I’ll be honest with you, that’s not even the hardest part of the job. In our line of work, we see a lot of people making the same mistakes over and over again. So today, I thought I’d share with you five things that I would never do after working as a safety professional. 1. Driving without a seatbelt: This is probably the most common mistake I see people making. And it’s also the most preventable. Wearing a seatbelt is the law in all states, but even if it wasn’t, it’s still something you should do every time you get in a car or on a forklift. Not only does it increase your chances of surviving an accident, but it also reduces the severity of injuries sustained in an accident. It’s one of those things anyone would find it hard to be a devil’s advocate against. 2. Working without PPE: Personal Protective Equipment, or PPE, is essential for anyone working in an environment where there are potential hazards present. Whether it’s a hard hat on a construction site or gloves and goggles in a laboratory, or even a home improvement project, PPE is there to protect you from injury. Most times, it also makes the job or task easier to do in the first place. 3. Using equipment without proper training: Just because you know how to turn on a power saw doesn’t mean you know how to use it safely. That’s why it’s so important to receive proper training before using any type of equipment, whether it’s power tools or machinery. So glad we got away from using the underwater welding example. 4. Ignoring warning signs: Warning signs are there for a reason. They exist to warn you of potential hazards so that you can take steps to avoid them. Ignoring warning signs is not only dangerous, but it’s also against the law in many states. Reading is fundamental. Besides, no one is going to stand around all day to preach not to go in there. 5. Drinking and driving: This one should go without saying, but I’ll say it anyway: don’t drink and drive. Not only is it illegal, but it’s also incredibly dangerous. If you’re going to drink alcohol, make sure you have a designated driver or take public transportation home. If you’re savvy enough, you’ll screen your friends during the honeymoon stage for that one sober individual. As a safety professional, I’ve seen firsthand the devastating effects that accidents can have on people’s lives. That’s why I’m always reminding people to be safe and to take precautions against potential hazards. Prevention is better than sure, and some things just go without
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