Why Make Safety Fun?
Let’s get something straight right off. Fun is not the same as play. Yes, play is fun, or at least it’s supposed to be. But that doesn’t mean that if something is fun it is play. No. The word [...]
Feb
20, 2024
Feb
12, 2024
“Safety Excuses” — 4 Proven Ways to Handle Them
“I didn’t realize you were supposed to (fit any requirement here). “I didn’t put that there!” “Tom said we didn’t have to wear a mask unless we are . . . etc. etc. etc. etc." The saying “I wish [...]
Nov
24, 2021
WATER UNDER THE BRIDGE: Helping Employees Realize the Value of Incident Investigations
"What’s done is done.” “There’s no use crying over spilled milk.” “It’s like closing the barn door after the horse gets loose.” These common sayings express how many people feel about incident investigations—particularly busy supervisors who have production schedules to [...]
Jul
13, 2021
How To Make Friends Fast Even if You’re a Safety Rep
Last month, I followed the third escort car for a wind turbine blade transport. I even had my very own hand-held radio! A logistics company has hired me as a safety consultant to help out with their safety program. It’s [...]
Mar
14, 2021
Ten Ways To improve Your Accident (if you prefer “Incident”) Report Form
Unfinished and inaccurate accident reports (or incident reports if you prefer) can be found in every industry. Most companies require supervisors to complete accident reports when one of the people in their crew is involved in an accident—particularly if medical [...]
Nov
12, 2019
It Looked Like a “Horror Movie!”
Today I was scheduled to have lunch at Penn Station in Philadelphia with my friend and colleague, Terry. It got canceled. She sent me a message last night that her husband Joe (also a friend) was in the emergency room. [...]
Sep
16, 2019
HOW TO CREATE THE PERFECT SAFETY PROGRAM
Author Irving Stone dedicated a lifetime to studying the lives of great people. He is renowned for having written novelized biographies of men such as Sigmund Freud, Vincent van Gogh, and Michelangelo. Stone once was asked if any similarities or [...]
Mar
6, 2019
UPSET DRIVES ARE 5 TIMES MORE DANGEROUS THAN DRIVERS TALKING ON A CELL PHONE
During my “Mindfully Safe” talk I show the results of a large driving study conducted by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute. Here are some details from this extensive, landmark study: The biggest study of its kind. 3,500 drivers between 16 [...]
Aug
22, 2017
CONFESSIONS OF A NUMBER CHASER
By Tonya Cheek When I first started as a safety supervisor, my motives were pure. All I wanted to do was help other people. My goal was to show fellow employees how to work safely. Hazards were my enemy and [...]
Mar
8, 2017
MY FRIEND HAS TO PURCHASE TWO WHEELCHAIRS
On January 23 a close friend of mine Tiny (that’s his nickname) who I regularly play pool with, had to swerve out of his lane to avoid hitting a driver who crossed onto his side of the road. He hit [...]