Take Ownership of Safety Toolbox Talk

Take Ownership of Safety Toolbox Talk

Safety on the job is one of the most important parts. It involves educating workers on being able to recognize hazards and identify them. There isn’t as much attention paid to the ways to mitigate these hazards. To mitigate a hazardous situation, you must take ownership of it. Staying on top of things until everything is resolved and corrected.

Taking Ownership Versus Recognizing Hazards

To recognize a hazard and to take ownership of one are two completely different things. If you recognize a dangerous situation occurring and don’t try to intervene, it could result in an injury. That is why you take ownership of a situation, it could save someone from an injury.

Don’t be the person who says, “Oh, yea I saw that earlier and knew someone would end up getting hurt”. When you see a problem, get it resolved. One of the times that this occurs, could be you getting hurt if someone doesn’t take ownership of a situation.

Failure To Manage Responsibly

It is important to make a hazardous situation known to your supervisor. Safety should always come first when working in construction. If you have brought a situation to your supervisor, the situation should be managed. There are times that this is not the case.

Supervisors are human just like everyone else and may have forgotten. Remind them that the problem is still present. If nothing is getting resolved, go to someone else. Find another supervisor to help resolve the issue. Do your part to help enforce safe practices in your workplace. Don’t stop until the problem gets fixed.

Different Situations That Can Arise

There are many different scenarios that can arise in a construction zone to cause harm. That is one reason that it is so important to keep sites as clean as possible. When things are in the way and not put away, people can get hurt. Some examples of hazards that could cause harm to workers are:

• Tools left out and getting tripped over

• Equipment not properly parked out of the way

• Materials left laying around being trip hazards

• Not properly marked uneven surfaces

• Restricted areas not marked or flagged

• Proper PPE not worn

• Improper ventilation causing hazardous fumes inhaled

• Improper use of tools or materials

• Crew members getting electrocuted

• Improper use of heavy equipment

• Spills not cleaned promptly and resulting in falls

There Are Different Types Of Hazards

Sometimes certain hazards are harder to spot out. That is why proper training is so important. Knowing what to look for will help you to spot them easier. There are 3 different kinds that you should be aware of.

• Environmental hazards

• Physical hazards

• Health hazards

Each one poses a different risk to crew members who are working. Whether it is an injury that can occur or a health concern, you should take action. Hazards can be prevented by taking ownership when you see them happening.

How To Work Safely

Proper training on guidelines, protocols, and safety precautions will help employees work safer. Plus, make better choices while on the job. If you are unsure of what the unsafe tactics are on the job, you will not be able to correct them. On the job training is important to make sure you are aware of all safety rules and regulations.

When you are able to spot out a hazardous situation, you can help to stop a bad situation from occurring by eliminating the hazard. Injuries and fatalities can happen due to safety guidelines being ignored. Take ownership of the situation and make sure that the right people are notified.

Ways To Ensure Safety On Constructions Sites

There are many things that can be done to make sure everyone is working efficiently and safely. Some of the main things are:

• Supervision - When workers are not supervised, they can sometimes try to cut corners. This doesn’t always result in an injury, but it only takes one time for it to happen.

• Inspection - Inspections of safety tools and equipment should be done routinely. This will avoid the chance of using broken materials. When you use broken equipment, you are at an increasing your chances of injuries.

• Post signs - Signs posted with rules and regulations can help to remind everyone to follow them.

• Communication - When crew members stay in contact with each other it creates a safer environment.

If you are working and notice an unsafe act being done, try to resolve it. If you need to bring in a supervisor to resolve the issue, then do it. Safety of the crew working is the most important thing. Stay on top of the problem until it’s resolved completely.

Reasons Ownership Is Not Taken

There are many reasons that an employee does not want to take ownership of a hazardous situation. Could be, the fear of being blamed for a situation. Or, facing the repercussion of fellow employees. It may also make you feel like the standards of the work that you perform are going to be raised. All because you brought attention to someone else’s faults.

You should not let that hold you back from doing the right thing. When you bring attention to a hazard that is occurring, you aren’t pointing fingers. It is making a safer environment for all the crew members present.

What Taking Ownership Means

Taking ownership of a situation at work is about not waiting for someone else to step in. If you see a harmful situation occurring, take care of it immediately. Don’t wait! The situation may not be able to wait because of the safety hazards that it possesses.

Prompt resolutions are the safest option. If your supervisors are not getting the job done, go above them. Find someone higher in rank and notify them of the situation. Being an advocate for safe working environments is a great aspect. Be sure to take ownership of hazardous situations and notify the right person in charge