Health & safety bulletin
Addressing unsafe behaviour at source
7th December 2007
Consider this………, we see someone working unsafely – maybe on a poorly erected tower, or not using adequate barriers to protect the work environment. We ignore it because it is easier than taking the time to tell him, and in any case, he won’t like it and we are too busy………
Half an hour later, a car hits the tower and the engineer falls down and is killed……… are you then an accessory to manslaughter?
Legally, you are obviously not, but morally could you sleep at night knowing that you could have saved this person’s life……… not even mentioning the effect on his wife, children and family?
Wouldn’t you wish you had said something? You don’t need to “grass them up” – just address it and report as a near miss so we can identify that it happened and review (with our customers) how we stop it from happening in the future.
If you do see someone working unsafely, please approach them in a courteous manner, take them away from where other people can hear and explain that you are worried for THEIR safety, asking if they know of a safer way to do the job. There is no need to be confrontational, or get into an argument, but please address the behaviour at source in line with your IIF training.
Food for thought………
What is the definition of an accessory in a crime?
“accessory n. (definition from www.thefreedictionary.com) a second-string player who helps in the commission of a crime by driving the getaway car, providing the weapons, assisting in the planning, providing an alibi, or hiding the principal offender after the crime. Usually the accessory is not immediately present during the crime, but must be aware that the crime is going to be committed or has been committed. Usually an accessory's punishment is less than that of the main perpetrator, but a tough jury or judge may find the accessory just as responsible.”