Unsafe Act can be defined as any activity by employees/ workers which are not as per the prescribed safety standard or practice and which can cause or likely to cause accidents or risk for self or others at workplace, damage equipment and bring losses in terms of reputations and revenue to employer.
Unsafe Acts cause four times as many accidents and injuries as unsafe conditions do. As per analyzing most of accidents are happening due to fault of the person involved in the incident.
Accidents occur for many reasons. In most instances, people tend to look for “things” to blame when an accident happens because it’s easier than looking for “root causes,” such as those listed below.
1. Taking shortcuts: Every day we make decisions we hope will make the job faster and more efficient. But do time savers ever risk your own safety or that of other workers? Shortcuts that reduce your safety on the job are not shortcuts, but an increased chance for injury.
2. Being over confident: Confidence is a good thing. Overconfidence is too much of a good thing. “It’ll never happen to me” is an attitude that can lead to improper procedures, tools or methods in your work. Any of these can lead to an injury.
3. Starting a task with incomplete instructions: To do the job safely and correctly the first time, you need complete information. Have you ever seen a worker sent to do a job having been given only a part of the job’s instructions? Don’t be shy about asking for explanations regarding work procedures and safety precautions. It isn’t dumb to ask questions, it’s dumb not to!
4. Poor housekeeping: When clients, managers or safety professionals walk through your work site, housekeeping is an accurate indicator of everyone’s attitude about quality, production and safety. Poor housekeeping creates hazards of all types. A well-maintained area sets a standard for others to follow. Good housekeeping involves both pride and safety.
5. Ignoring safety procedures: Purposely failing to observe safety procedures can endanger you and your coworkers. You are being paid to follow safety policies – not to make your own rules. Being “casual” about safety can lead to a casualty!
6. Mental distractions from work: Having a bad day at home and worrying about it at work is a hazardous combination. Dropping your “mental guard” can pull your focus away from safe work procedures. You can also be distracted when you’re busy working and a friend comes by to talk while you are trying to work. Don’t become a statistic because you took your eyes off the machine “just for a minute.”
7. Failure to Pre-Plan the Work: There is a lot of talk today about job hazard analysis. JHAs are an effective way to figure out the smartest ways to work safely and effectively. Being hasty in starting a task or not thinking through the process can put you in harms way. Instead, plan your work and then work your plan!
Consider the underlying accident causes described. Have you or any of your coworkers been guilty of any of these attitudes or behaviors? If so, even though you/they may have not been injured before, the next time you/they may not be so lucky!
Remember, unsafe acts cause accidents and injuries! You need to do your best to ensure that you are working safely. If you develop a “Safety Attitude” chances are unsafe acts will become a thing of the past.
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Thank you for your assistance with ensuring a safe and healthy work environment!