Safety Tip of the Week – Shortcuts are a Choice

The decision to take a shortcut can be influenced by many different factors. But at the end of the day, shortcuts are a choice – one can chose to take a shortcut or chose the safe and recommended way of doing something.

It is important to realize this fact and take steps to avoid taking shortcuts especially when it comes to safety on the job.

Ways to Avoid Taking Shortcuts:

• Hold your work to a higher standard. Do not take the easy way out. Take the time and energy to perform tasks correctly and safely. Make it a habit to follow safety policies and procedures;
• Help set the expectation that shortcuts are unacceptable when it comes to safety. If co- workers see you taking shortcuts, they are more likely to do so themselves.
• Realize that shortcuts affect more than just you. They can result in negative impacts on production, property damage, as well as injuries;
• If facing a perceived time pressure, evaluate whether it is a self-imposed time pressure. Many times, individuals put pressure on themselves to perform a task faster when there is no real outside pressure to get a work task completed; and

Preplan work tasks well ahead of time so the necessary tools, training, personnel, safety equipment, time, etc. are available. Having all the necessary items for work tasks can help to avoid the urge to take shortcuts.To boil it down, taking shortcuts is just a personal choice. Sure, there are many factors that affect whether an individual will make the choice to do so, but it is ultimately a choice that you make individually.

IF THE VOICE IN YOUR HEAD HAS TO ASK, “IS THIS SAFE?” … IT ISN’T!!