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Complacency can be dangerous

W
hile unsafe conditions often by watching the actions of
cause workplace deaths and others while they work. This
injuries, a great many more not only raises your aware-
are the result of unsafe acts. ness, it might do it for them
Such acts might occur because a person if you share the observations
is unaware of safe procedures and you made.
precautions, but in too many cases the Here are some more ways
person has fallen victim to complacency. to keep safety top-of-mind:
One dictionary definition of • Know the hazards. It's
complacency is “a feeling of quiet pleasure impossible to avoid all
or security, often while unaware of some hazards, but you can be
potential danger, defect, or the like; smart about your deci-
self-satisfaction or smug satisfaction with sions. Don't take chances
an existing situation, condition, etc.” with anyone's safety.
Although pleasure and smugness might • Do you follow every step in every job • Always use the proper tools and
not apply to you, the tendency to ignore or every time? equipment for the job. Don't substitute
downplay potential danger is real. As time • Do you manage your time so you don't for the sake of speed or convenience.
goes by with no problems, not even a have to cut corners? • Regularly inspect tools/equipment to
close call, the risk of complacency • Do you know and follow all safety make sure they are in good repair.
increases. rules? • Make sure your work laid out to
Almost all jobs are repetitive in nature, • Do you know what to do in an provide safe completion of the job.
and the more we repeat what we are doing, emergency? • Make sure the materials being used are
the greater the chance of becoming • Do you always use the required safe, and whether additional personal
complacent — without even realizing it. personal protective equipment? protective equipment might be
There is no sure-fire cure for • Do you report any safety hazards you required.
complacency. Like a chronic illness, it can’t fix? • Keep all necessary equipment guards in
requires constant attention to prevent it • Can you name the safest person at your
place and follow all lockout/tagout
from ruining your life or someone else's. workplace? Is it you?
procedures for repairs, maintenance and
One way to combat complacency is to Remember, attitude affects behavior. A
emergency shutdown.
make safety a habit; to develop and good attitude means having the strength to
maintain an attitude that strives to be do the right thing and it means following • Keep your surroundings clean, orderly
constantly aware of what could go wrong. proper safety procedures. and free from hazards.
This can be easier said than done, of If you have a positive attitude, odds are • Clean up spills and debris promptly or
course. But does a serious incident have to you will exhibit safe behavior. A negative report them to the appropriate person.
happen before we give ourselves a reality attitude toward safety — and that includes You might even consider taking your
check and realize our attitudes need a big complacency — can cause conflict, stress non-complacent attitude to the next level
adjustment? and, ultimately, an accident. It can make by becoming more involved in promoting
Let's hope not. In fact, now is as good a people around you feel uneasy and be and improving safety in your workplace.
time as any for a checkup. Ask yourself dangerously distracted. Think hard about This can be done by serving on safety
these questions: how your job performance affects your committees, planning and leading a safety
• Are you always focused on the task(s) co-workers. meeting, and by participating in incident
at hand when you're on the job? You can combat your own complacency investigations and facility walk-throughs.

The material contained in this document has been prepared from sources believed to be accurate and reliable. Application of this
information to a specific worksite should be reviewed by a safety professional. Anyone making use of the information set forth herein
does so at their own risk and assumes any and all liability arising therefrom. Specific medical advice should be obtained through
consultation with a physician or other trained health care practitioner.
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 Complacency
The Quiz Hold These Thoughts
These questions are meant to help you remember what was discussed
today — not to test your patience or challenge your intelligence. The
answers are at the bottom of the page. Cover them up, and complete the Call it a close call, a near miss or
quiz as quickly as you can. a narrow escape, there are
compelling reasons not to ignore
an unplanned event that didn't
1. Unsafe acts are the leading cause of workplace injuries and property result in injury, illness or damage –
damage. but had the potential to do so.
TRUE ____ FALSE ____ Unfortunately, such events often
are ignored. Lessons go unlearned
2. Can worker complacency lead to unsafe acts? and another event occurs that
YES ____ NO ____ does cause harm. In some
instances, complacency is the
reason why.
3. Overcoming complacency requires:
For example, workers might put
A. Constant effort. up with clutter even when others
B. Proper equipment. stumble over it without falling. Then
C. Safe work procedures. someone does fall, breaking an
D. Cooperation by co-workers. ankle in the process.
E. None of the above. There can be much more serious
warnings. Dealing with a potentially
4. A serious incident is the best way to correct unsafe situations. hazardous situation or reporting it
TRUE ____ FALSE ____ immediately might seem to be an
obvious solution, but it can be very
5. Which of these are indications of worker complacency: difficult to get everyone to take
close calls seriously.
A. Not always being focused on the task at hand.
Aside from complacency, there
B. Following all required safety precautions. are other reasons why people are
C. Not using all required personal protective equipment. reluctant to report them:
D. Ignoring close calls. • There is no system for doing so.
• Workers believe their supervi-
6. Observing the actions of co-workers can be a good way to combat sors will hold such reporting
complacency. against them.
TRUE ____ FALSE ____ • Reporting generates additional
work.
7. Which of these are steps usually taken to maintain a positive attitude • Once reported nothing is done
to address or correct what
toward safety:
caused the close call.
A. Know the hazards of your job and be vigilant for hidden • Close calls are so frequent they
ones. become commonplace and part
B. Do not substitute improper tools for the sake of speed or of the everyday work life.
convenience. • Employees may fear a possible
C. Keep your surroundings free of clutter. job loss or be penalized if they
D. All of the above. are found to be a contributing
factor of the near miss incident.
8. Does your workplace encourage employees to help promote and • Workers believe being safe in
improve safety? the workplace includes being
YES ____ NO ____ DON’T KNOW____ lucky.
It is impossible to completely
answer engineer out all risks. Everyone
ANSWERS: 1. True, 2. Yes, 3. A., 4. False, 5. A. C. and D., 6. True, 7. D., 8. Your
must continue to help identify
hidden or unexpected risks and
Talks Zone — Inbox Safety Talks is published by Skilven Publications Inc.
develop ways to minimize the
[Link]. All rights reserved © 2014. This Safety Talk is licensed to ONE
exposure. Reporting and
supervisor and may be copied for use within his/her department only. No part of this
investigating close calls is a critical
publication is to be distributed without first obtaining the correct software license or
part of this process.
written permission from the Publisher. Site licenses are available on request.
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 Safety Meeting

For the Record

Date of Meeting: _________________________ Topic: ______________________________
Location: _______________________________ Department:_________________________
Start Time: ______ Finish Time: ______ Meeting Leader: _____________________

In Attendance:

Tips for Safety Meeting Leaders

Reach conclusion or agreement. A safety needing to conduct huge amounts of research,
meeting usually seems more satisfactory if you because they know their job. Give them a time frame
agree on a course of action. This action can be to and allow them to be as imaginative and ‘out there’
improve or correct a situation. Make plans to get as they want to be. It’s during these times you’ll hear
whatever information is needed to resolve a ‘pearls’. The number of workers who have good
question. It is very important that you provide ideas on improving safety, but haven’t spoken up just
answers to employees’ questions as soon as might surprise you.
possible. Even if the answers are unpopular, at least Credit where it’s due. Employees who have
you’ve taken the trouble to find them out. shown initiative by asking questions or coming up
Get your people involved. Ask them for a short with good ideas should be given a word of praise
presentation about safety in relation to their either at the meeting or when you pass their
particular work task. There’s no stress about them workstations.

Note: TalksZone safety meetings are not intended to take the place of your own safety procedures.
Always consult and/or review your procedures before attempting any work.
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