Safety Speakers Insight – Safety Is A Skill – An Olympic Perspective

Around the world we are watching the Winter Olympics. It is amazing to watch the results of years of practice and dedication to being the best. One thing all the competitors have in common is a dedication to improve themselves every day. Safety speakers and safety professionals must have the same dedication. No doubt each athlete is blessed with the body necessary to succeed in their sport but skill is what makes the difference. They practice to be able to beat any competitor under any condition. The good news is safety is similar. Effective safety speakers know the more we practice working safely the better we become. The more we ask ourselves, is there any safer way to accomplish this job, the safer we are. Safety is a skill anyone can learn and cultivate. Below is an article I published in April of 2015 which I thought fit this Olympic season.

How many times heard ineffective safety speakers say, “‘ I think people who are great at something display more than outstanding habits; they demonstrate outstanding skill. It is easy to mistake a skill for a habit.

Skills Are Adaptable
Skills are adaptable to the situation. A skilled worker can use the techniques he or she has learned and when confronted with a new or unique situation they can apply those skills and get the job done. I’ve  never met a “habitual machinist”, but I have met many skilled machinists who know the principles of their craft and can use them to create or repair something. They can work for one company, in one industry and then change companies and be just as successful.

Safety Must Be A Skill We Teach Everyone
When we teach safety as a skill people can adapt and apply that skill to all areas of their life. If someone “habitually” uses hearing protection when entering a posted work area, they are only protected then and there. When a person has safety as a skill they are protected in many more situations. They can arrive home and go to mow the lawn. They notice how loud the lawnmower is so they go and get some hearing protection and use it. They understood the principle of hearing protection, realized their lawnmower was loud and proceeded to protect their hearing. All without specific safety training with lawn mowers.

Habits Are Mindless
Why would we ever encourage mindless behavior in the workplace?  We are always safer when we are focused on the task at hand. Think of how many injuries occur when someone is doing something habitually and mindlessly. People walk without consciously thinking of every step. This sets some people up for a fall. Conditions along their path differ from the norm because of debris or a slippery condition and because they aren’t walking mindfully or skillfully they trip or slip. When warned of a dangerous condition such as ice they engage their mind and skill and safely make it across an icy path.

Skill Is A More Respectful Word
I think of workers as skilled professionals I respect. Safety speakers who want to reach an audience must show that audience respect. Whether it is the newest person on the job or a seasoned crafts person they are due my respect. As an international safety speaker, from a communication and leadership perspective, I am always more effective when I have and show respect for those with whom I am communicating. The word skill conveys respect much better than habit.

Watching Out And Approaching Others Is A Skill
When you want to teach your employees the skills of watching out for others, along with the skills of sharing safety with others and responding appropriately, give Diane a call at +1 209.745.9419 to bring me to your site. She can arrange to have me come to your site to present, Would You Watch Out For My Safety?®. Click Here For More Info. Or to buy my book to teach them these skills call Sandie at +1 209.747.2770 to get bulk pricing discounts.
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Until next week,
I’ll be, “Watching Out For Everyone’s Safety™”
The Best of Safety Speakers John Drebinger
©2018 John Drebinger Presentations
Permission to use granted when credited and contact information included. www.drebinger.com +1 209.745.9419