Making Safety Plans Simple

Safe according to Webster is to “secure from harm, danger, or evil“ and “free from injury or danger: unhurt” and very importantly ” free from risk”. Sounds simple enough but how does the average person live and work within the scope of these definitions? What are the rules , how do we apply them and how can they possibly meet our specific needs? Further in Webster’s dictionary we find another definition that provides us with some insight and when taken literally directs us towards a solution. More of a definition but non-the-less our first step in the right direction. “Safety, a device designed to prevent accidents.” Our device has to be some kind of a plan, program or system wherein we can identify, analyze, and control hazards that may cause us harm.
To start our plan we will consider the operations we are involved in, who works within the environment of the operations, and what equipment or machinery is involved. We will look at every aspect of operations including outside influences. After thoroughly and honestly evaluating our particular activity our plan can start coming together. Our highest priorities are those things most likely to cause harm to life, limb or eyesight followed closely by destruction or damage to property. As we identify these areas we need to put our collective minds together, reach into the depths of our experience and research the rest in formulating a solution. Our goal is to have a plan or system that when followed will minimize the risks we had previously identified. To insure everyone involved understands how to mitigate risks the plan needs to be in writing and distributed. Doesn’t do anyone any good if they do not know about it.
To make it all work the human side of the element has to be willing to make it work. Quite often safety programs perceived as being forced on individuals do not receive the support they need to be successful, with success measured in not being harmed. Any safety program, plan or system needs to be consistently monitored, open to input by it’s users, and pertinent to the organization that uses it. A program needs to active, not reactive.

Still not sure where to start, type in your search window "Safety Plans and Programs" where you will find numerous ideas, some free, some not. But what ever you do remember this, people don't plan to fail, they fail to plan...and the difference could make a big difference in your world.