'Tis The Season
He began his career in the electrical trade by engaging in construction activities at a potash mine located west of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Since then, he has accumulated experience in various facets of the electrical trade, including construction, commissioning, and maintenance.
'Tis The Season
The year has once again rushed past. We tend to look back at this time of the year not at what we have accomplished but rather what we have missed with regards to plans, goals, or KPI’s. This tends to create a false sense of urgency. This can lead to tunnel vision, the need to rush to just get it done at all costs. What is that expression “Dam the torpedoes and full speed ahead” or in my blue-collar version “Just git her done”.
The problem is that in doing this mad dash to the year-end finish line, we forget to plan, and we feel the need or justification to cut a corner here or there. Honestly, most times, by some stroke of dumb luck, we partially or somewhat achieve our goal without consequence. But if something goes wrong, there can be severe consequences.
Anyone who has worked with me might remember one of my favorite comments or closing phrases for a toolbox meeting is “Gentlemen, today we will walk with purpose, nobody runs like an idiot”.
Simply put, we need to think, stay focused, plan our work, take the time to see our jobs, identify hazards, and mitigate them before starting our task. In this, my expectation is that everyone be safe. There is no excuse to ignore our safe work practices, such as lock out and tag out, in creating a safe work condition. Have you ever seen the Keystone Cops videos? I don’t want that in our workplace. Even in the event of an emergency, there is no reason to run or rush in without a plan.
This is when the tortoise and the hare scenario comes into play. Steady wins the race. If we walk with purpose, we don’t miss critical items, we do our jobs well, so we don’t have any incidents. Everything works as it should, nothing fails, and the job is done right the first time. That means no do-overs are required. We don’t have to stop work because an injury or incident shuts down the site.
The Tortoise Wins.
Now extend this out to the crew and even the whole site. Especially this time of the year. Where is the focus? Is it on the task at hand or on travel plans, family commitments, or gift shopping? Are they over-tired, sick, or stressed? This is the time now, even more than usual, that we take the time to “walk with purpose,” slow down a bit, take time to listen, ask questions, and understand. Look out for your co-workers; they may have lost focus on what is important. In our Low Voltage Safety training, one of the examples we highlight is a Scaffolding Incident that happened at a building in Toronto back in 2009. 4 workers died, and another was seriously injured after falling around 30 meters when the staging failed. This incident happened on December 24th…. Consider their families and their loss. In the investigation, it was found that the workers were not wearing their safety harnesses. The company was pressing to get repairs done on balconies before the year's end. If they finished before December 31st, there was a $50K bonus.
In the court case, it was shown that the supervisor had “decided it was in the company's interest" to allow men to work in "manifestly dangerous conditions." I wonder if the families would agree? Now, to be clear, the supervisor was there. In fact, he was on the scaffolding with the workers, handing them tools to get the job done faster. When the scaffolding failed, he was able to hold onto the 13th-floor balcony and pull himself to safety. Talk about winning the lottery.
So, what is important to you? Is it to get that job done before the year's end? Or is it that everyone has the opportunity to have a safe and merry holiday season? After all, it’s your call. What is your expectation? More importantly, what is your example? Do you want everyone to “Walk with Purpose” or are you willing to approve everyone to “Run Like an Idiot” just so we meet a goal or target?
I hope you consider this not just right now but always.
Season's Best to Everyone
In safety
Norm
