Safety Speaker Insights™ – Cellular Phone Safety – Helping Others Be Safe

As a safety speaker I hear and see much material about cellular phones. Most conversations about cellular phone safety have been approached from the perspective of the person on the cellular phone driving, walking or doing some other activity. Imagine yourself at your desk, at home sitting down, or someplace else where everyone would agree talking on the phone would be safe and appropriate. While you are safe, have you thought about the person with whom you are talking? Are they safe as you are or are they driving, working, walking, riding a bike, or some other activity we would all agree need their focus in order to be safe?

I was on the phone with someone at the IRS checking on a question I had. I know the IRS is not popular with many people; however, as a safety speaker, I had a great safety experience with one of their employees. The employee on the other end of the call was giving me information and he knew I would be writing it down. He perceived by the sound of the call on his end that I was on a cellular phone and possibly in a car. He suggested I might want to call back when I would be able to safely focus on the information he was sharing with me. How great is that? He was actually concerned for my safety. I thanked him for watching out for my safety and explained to him I was in a car; however, I was safely parked and had a notepad available to take notes.

It is important for us and everyone to ask if the person we are talking with on the phone is safe to talk. Driving isn’t the only activity that can result in an injury if you aren’t focused while on the phone. Obviously, if you know you are calling someone on their office phone you know they are at a desk. However, most people have switched from land line phones at home and are using their cellular phone exclusively. They could be doing a task at home that requires their attention. When you ask someone if it is safe for them to talk right now you are letting them know you care and you are reminding them of the importance of staying focused.

Safety Speaker Insight – Social Proof and Peer Pressure

When people make it a practice to always ask if they are safe to talk right now something subliminal also happens. You let people know their safety is important to you and it implies you don’t want to talk to them if they are driving or doing another task that needs their attention. This unconscious message is very powerful. We all want to fit in. The more people begin watching out for their friends and associates on the phone the more they are likely to do the same. When they know you care about safety they are more likely to do as you do. Also, you could easily ask them if they are able to be in hands-free mode. This is a polite reminder it is the safest way to be on the phone when driving. The key word is “safest”. It is important to realize that as well as keeping someone alert, it is possible for someone to be distracted. You have to use your best judgement to decide which is the right action to take.

What Kind Of Call Is It?
Remember, you can also gauge the type of conversation you are having. Sometimes it is helpful to have someone to talk to on the phone when driving a long distance alone. It’s a given that they must be using a hands free phone. As a safety speaker I spend many long hours on the road. My associate will often call when she is driving back from her son’s home at night. It is about one hour away and a phone conversation helps keep her alert. Keep in mind it is simple sharing about the grand kids or how the day went. A casual conversation such as this is much different than an emotionally charged conversation or one that requires you to write down or remember what is being discussed. When you and the other person are watching out for each others safety the two of you can decide if the conversation is appropriate for the circumstances involved.

Helping Others Keep Their Focus
Every day on and off the job people are distracted by the actions of others. You or your safest worker could be doing a task that requires focus and someone else walks over and asks you a question or does something else that would interrupt. Be a part of the solution and wait for a safe moment to get someone’s attention. Even walking into view or calling out their name will interfere with their focus so give it some thought before you move into their work area. Patience and safety often are very good partners. When we have the patience to wait for the best or safest moment we remain injury free.

Solutions For Your Safety Challenges
When you need solutions for your safety challenges give Diane Weiss a call at 209-745-9419 and bring John to your site to discover injury preventing solutions. You can email her at diane@drebinger.com
Until next week,
I’ll be, “Watching Out For Everyone’s Safety™”
Safety Speaker John
© 2016 John Drebinger Presentations
Permission to use granted when credited and contact information included. www.drebinger.com +1 209.745.9419