Safety does not happen by accident

THE EDITOR: My research has proven that over 99 per cent of all accidents are preventable.

We have a great deal of control over the circumstances around us. Fate is the hunter for those least prepared.

It is shocking how many people believe that no workplace can be made free of hazards. It requires discipline and diligence to recognise and mitigate every hazard in the workplace.

We do not work in a dangerous environment. We work in a hazardous environment that we make dangerous by not following safe work procedures and wearing our personal protective equipment.

Hazards are the reason people get hurt. Without hazards there are no injuries. When we fail to follow safety procedures or wear our protective gear we increase the risk of injury.

Accidents do not occur, they are caused. A hazard-free workplace is created by actively identifying, evaluating the risk and applying controls to physically protect employees.

Attitude is an inward feeling expressed by outward behaviour. People judge you by your actions and not by your intentions. Safety is an action word but it is treated as something passive.

There is something termed an act of God which is a natural hazard outside human control, for instance an earthquake or tsunami for which no person can be held responsible.

In the majority of cases, if we ask ourselves “why me God,” God has nothing to do with it. In fact God is never in TT this time of year.

Safety does not happen by accident.

AV RAMPERSAD

Princes Town