Webster’s Dictionary defines complacency as: self-satisfaction especially when accompanied by unawareness of actual dangers or deficiencies
Complacency is perhaps one of the biggest safety issues we face in completing our day-to-day tasks. We are “used” to things being a certain way each time and unless the obvious comes right out and hits us… we can be oblivious to it all. This is state of mind can affect many things such as productivity, quality and most importantly safety.
Aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn’t mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoetnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be at the rghit pclae. The rset can be a toatl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe.
That’s a good example of Complacency….
You probably didn’t have much trouble reading that paragraph. It probably took you back at first, but then you were able to zip through the paragraph and understand the content. That is how complacency works with our mind. We get used to words starting with certain letters and being a certain length and we skip right over it “thinking” we know what the word is.
In reading paragraphs it’s not a big deal . . . however when it comes to safety, complacency can be a big concern on the job. Each day while working whether it be in production, the warehouse, office, our cars, or even walking from one end of the facility to the other, we must keep focused on the task at hand.
There is always danger in going into “autopilot” when working on the job. All too often, we don’t realize how complacent we are until we have a near miss or close call. Those events tend to jump start our hearts and focus our attention . . . at least for a little while!
The true message here is, never let your guard down. Never become complacent in the way you think about Safety.
We maintain our safety by doing just that, maintaining it. Below are a few simple tips to fight complacency and maintain our safety and the safety of those around us:
Reading our safety topics each week… They are meant to keep your mind sharp on all the issues that surround us. These topics are meant to point out hazards that may develop in our day-to-day activities at home, in the car, or in the workplace.
Never go from task to task on Auto Pilot without planning ahead.
- Before you just jump in with both feet…take a “Four Second Reset” to stop and think about the safety side of the task you are about to start.
- Those few seconds should include thinking through the appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to use.
- What hazards could I or others be exposed to?
- Ensure those hazards are identified, eliminating any and all possible by maintaining good housekeeping and organization in our work areas
Always watch out for others coming into your work area to ensure they are safe. You would want them doing the same for you.
With the ever-changing equipment and process used in our business, being complacent with past safety in the workplace does not guarantee our future safety. It’s up to all of us to never let our guard down. Continuous safety awareness is the backbone of a safe workplace.
