There are many excuses someone will give for not working safely. Some common excuses include: I didn’t know, I didn’t have time, I lost my PPE, nothing will happen, etc. One of the worst excuses to have for not working safe is a “it won’t happen to me” mindset. This excuse communicates a mindset that is set on not completing a task safely or shows a person is relying on luck to keep safe while on the job.

EXPERIENCE COMPLACENCY AND ATTITUDE 

Experience can lead to complacency or a higher level of tolerance for risk. When an employee has done the same task or has been in the same occupation for many years, they can have the “it won’t happen to me mindset”. This doesn’t mean that newer employees cannot have the same mindset, but it is often very experienced employees who fall into this mindset trap. 

AVOID COMPLACENCY

Complacency can be hard to avoid, however having the mindset that an incident or injury will not happen can put you at a great risk of sustaining an injury. Believing you are not susceptible to the hazards of the job is a quick way to be injured. No matter how much experience you have, the necessary steps still need to be taken to prevent an incident from occurring.

WHAT EXACTLY IS A WORKPLACE SAFETY ATTITUDE 

A workplace safety attitude refers to an employee’s tendency to respond positively or negatively towards a safety goal, idea, plan, procedure, prevention or situation.

WAYS TO IMPROVE WORKER SAFETY ATTITUDE

1. Safety Is Serious 

Every employee must take safety seriously in order to:

• Avoid accidents that can cause fires, explosions, or other dangers
• Avoid accidents that can cause job-related injuries
• Avoid exposure to hazardous substances that can lead to serious illness
• Comply with OSHA safety and health regulations
• Comply with company work rules, policies, and procedures

2. A Positive Safety Attitude Makes the Most of Company Safety Tools and Training

When you take safety seriously, you take advantage of the protections available on the job. 

• Engineering controls such as ventilation
• Work procedures such as lockout/tagout
• Personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves, hard hats, and protective eyewear
• Emergency planning and response programs such as alarms, evacuation plans, and eyewashes
• Safety information such as chemical labels and material safety data sheets
• Training on how to do your job safely

3. Carelessness Is the Most Common Cause of Workplace Accidents

Accidents result when people take attitudes like these toward safety:

• Complacency. After performing a job many times without an accident, you may believe you’re experienced enough to skip safety procedures or steps. That’s exactly when an accident happens.
• Being upset or angry. You can’t let emotions get in the way of doing your job correctly. 
• Fatigue. Being tired can slow down your physical and mental reactions, causing your mind to wander.
• Recklessness. Taking chances with tools, machinery, chemicals, or work procedures is foolish and dangerous.
• Being afraid to ask questions. Always ask when you’re not sure what to do or how to do it. 

4. Take a Positive Attitude Toward Safety

• Take personal responsibility for your own safety and that of your co-workers.
• Pay attention to training.
• Follow every step in every job every time.
• Know and follow safety rules.
• Use required personal protective equipment.
• Give work your full attention.
• Keep an eye out for hazards. Always ask, “What could go wrong here?”
• Know what to do in an emergency.
• Ask questions about any procedure or precaution that’s not clear.
• Report any safety hazards you can’t fix.
• Save fooling around for your personal time.

5. Opportunities to Improve Workplace Safety

• Volunteer for safety committees
• Take an active role in safety meetings and training sessions
• Propose safety improvements through the suggestion system
• Cooperate with safety inspections and monitoring

FINAL WORD

Do not let experience on the job affect your attitude towards taking the correct steps to work safe. Hazards need to be controlled. They are only controlled when workers take the time to implement the proper safeguards and follow safe work practices.