Keep your workplace clear from clutter Accident Prevention | OSHA Safety Manuals Be aware of your surroundings. The best way to keep yourself and others safe is to identify the hazards in your workplace and be aware of your surroundings. Look inside your vehicle before you get in, especially when it has been parked in a parking terminal or lot. Ensure all . You may also submit an IT support request at http://help.emory.edu/ . Give yourself this time by keeping a "space cushion" on all sides of your vehicle. The temporary loss or lack of situational awareness is a casual factor in many accidents. In today's market, having a poor safety record can mean all the difference between winning or losing a deal. It can also mean that you ask for help when you know that you need it. When traveling at night always book a taxi or get a lift with someone you trust. Manage - If you feel that the operation is unsafe, stop working. I asked the clerk for someone to escort me out. This does not just apply to buildings, but can be practiced in cars, public transportation, elevators, and even in outdoor environments. The level of concentration required for this type of driving makes it extremely tiring and stressful. The driver behind you wants to pass. All these activities might help prevent an attack. Be aware of your surroundings and observe all signs, especially those for maximum permitted floor loadings and clearance heights, and check for any overhead objects before lifting or stacking loads. 7 Ways of Practicing Everyday Situational Awareness | ATR Give yourself this time by keeping a space cushion on all sides of your vehicle. Forklift Pedestrian Safety Tips. Toolbox Talk Topic: Situational Awareness Situational awareness is being aware of your surroundings: where you are, where you are supposed to be and nearby threat to your health and safety. Dont make yourself vulnerable. Be aware of your surroundings and watch for small mistakes. When you report all the facts about a crime, it helps the police assign officers in the places where crimes are occurring or where they are most likely to occur, and your report may help prevent a crime from reoccurring. Paying attention to your surroundings might prevent an injury. Choose a product which is designed specifically for use on toilets, sinks, bathtubs and showers in both . It has been said, your gut feeling is not just a guess, your gut feeling is your body reacting based upon knowledge or experience before your mind can fully process the information it is receiving. Also, do not be afraid to speak loudly to someone so that you can get the attention of others nearby. Yes, that is difficult at first. A consistent and structured daily toolbox talk will save lives and reduce injuries. Relaxed awareness is not tiring, and it allows you to enjoy life while rewarding you with an effective level of personal safety. Keep safe and be aware of your surroundings at all times. #safety #s Last but not least do not assume that just because you told someone about a risk or a correct procedure that they heard you or they agreed with you. If possible and when safe, make room for vehicles entering freeways even though you have the right-of-way. Allow room in front of your vehicle so the driver will have space to move in front of you. Drive down a long or steep hill. We both know they arent going to notice a potentially dangerous situation. Learn how your comment data is processed. OFFICE 4114 E BROADWAY AVE | SPOKANE, WA 99202, 1145 BROADWAY PLAZA, STE 1340 | TACOMA, WA 98402. 5 Essential Warehouse Safety Tips - Vector Solutions Then, if they spot something out of the ordinary that could be a threat or hazard, they can dial up to a state of focused awareness and take a careful look at that potential hazard or threat. Be aware of your surroundings Your coworkers won't be able to hear your ideas or take you seriously when there is a pile of dirty clothes in the corner behind you. Check the interior of your vehicle for intruders before entering your car. Have an exit plan. For active shooters and those with intent on harm, its like shooting fish in a barrel. Here are some of my take-aways (expanded with some of my own thoughts and comments) that may be useful to you: 1. Do not be afraid to speak to someone to ask them to not come closer if approaching you in a parking lot. Allow other coworkers to give you ideas of what could and could not work in situations. Stay in well-lighted areas as much as possible. View each new setting as an opportunity to practice when these tips become second-nature, you greatly increase your ability to keep yourself safe. If you carry a purse, carry it securely between your arm and your body. Assessment of your working environment should occur continually, but especially in the following situations: Why is situational awareness important to us? Become a Hard Target: Those with malicious intent generally single out individuals that seem meek, vulnerable, or unaware of their surroundings. In the case of Sikh Temple, Lt. Murphy did arrive at the scene in under two minutes, but if he had been only 15 seconds later, there would have been another 15 people killed based on how the shooter had people cornered, according to Lt. Murphy. Personal Space: If someone is crowding you, seems suspicious, or is displaying threatening body language, scan them for subtle signs of violent intent or a hidden weapon. Wonder could this happen here to me to my family? Your brain goes into auto-pilot and you slowly stop consciously processing your surroundings. Safety is the key to happy living, A little care can prevent much grieving. Situational awareness is only as good as your perception. Where needed call in your Corporate Safety Manager. Follow a regular housekeeping schedule. Reflective Surfaces: One of your biggest advantages in a dangerous situation is being able to see the danger coming with enough time to react appropriately. You need to practice this level of awareness when you are driving on icy or slushy roads. To do so, intentionally and persistently practice the following: Be aware of your surroundings. Are there other factors that can impact the situation? We can give you your valuable time back with 365 prepared toolbox talks just like this one about watching your surroundings, all delivered from our iOS and Android apps to your workers' phones, so your workers are focused, productive, and accident-free. Whatever you do, do not downplay the importance of the drill or neglect to pay attention to how procedures are carried out as you may be the one who needs saving or could potentially save another life. LOOK - At your work area and find the hazards that are present to you and your workmates. hWmo9+YHF]th%@ PV{0`pp8b(/HZQ`4p%&h^ `N'dHT^9-|Qug>>I)%A86pF~ yJME!7Rin>AxY1 In other terms, this could mean simply instructing workers on the safest way to do things or telling your supervisor about health and safety hazards you see on a job site. This website is to be used forinformational purposes only. Practice these 6 behaviors to develop a mindset of being aware. Know which lanes are clear so you can use them if necessary. Intuition: Trust your gut. Be alert to your surroundings and the people around you. Electronic Distractions: Whether its staring down at your phone or listening to music, using electronic devices can seriously impair your ability to be aware of what is going on around you. What about your friends? When walking, stay in well-lit areas and walk in numbers, if possible. The police need the eyes and ears of all citizens. Consider, whether you need to tell someone or react. Being able to communicate with others your perception of the risks is a vital part of the awareness strategy. Reclaim your calendar, quit searching for your next safety meeting. Avoid doorways, bushes and alleys where someone could hide. Be Aware of Your Surroundings. Understanding Your Surroundings While Driving, refer to the Basic Speed Law in the Speed Limits section. Forklift Pedestrian Safety Tips: Increase Awareness in Your Work Space [emailprotected] (618) 973-9174, The number of workplace shootings is increasing at an alarming[], Missouri School District Heightens School Emergency Response & Communication Are[], In regard to stopping killers in these uncertain times, before[]. Be Aware of Your Surroundings - Safety Talk October 2012 There have been a string of injuries, over the past two months, in Facilities Services associated with employees working in unfamiliar locations. To avoid last minute moves, scan the road 1015 seconds ahead of your vehicle so you can see hazards early. %PDF-1.5 % Dont fear, there is still hope. Make eye contact with people when walking. People typically operate on five distinct levels of awareness: The basic level of situational awareness that should be practiced most of the time is relaxed awareness, a state of mind that can be maintained indefinitely without all the stress and fatigue associated with focused awareness or high alert. Workplace Safety Tips Every Employee Should Know - eSafety Quotes about Awareness of surroundings (24 quotes) - Quote Master Situational awareness is a critical foundation for successful decision making in most situations that you can be put in at work. (In other words, be just a little paranoid.) Be aware of your blind spots. It's essential to understand situation awareness in the context of everyday life not just hostile environment awareness training (HEAT), travel safety and first aid training.Thinking proactively and understanding what to look out for can be . But, the points that I took away from the training session were that you can protect yourself. However, we do know this man is acting like a mugger. However, combining great awareness with a weapon might increase your odds of fending of an attack. It is important if you have a management role or even the role of a team leader that you practice situational awareness. One of the best ways to become more aware of your surroundings is to practice identifying the objects around you. Consider the building occupants when scheduling your work: you may need to schedule work when there are fewer people in the building/area; Put up barriers and signage to alert building occupants to avoid hazards and stay clear of the immediate work area; Report hazards to Facilities and/or Environmental Health and Safety Go to the store on a different day. However, when was the last time there was a drill to ensure every person in the establishment knows what to do? Most rear end collisions are caused by tailgating. You should learn to look at things with a 360-degree focus, not just from your view. Follow these parking lot safety tips whenever you find yourself in a parking lot on foot. You talk with others about safety. Although a lot of us dont deal with the bad criminals who we presume are the threat, being aware of our surroundings is still important for both ourselves and our families. What about members of the response team, including law enforcement were they able to carry out the proper procedures successfully? Being able to stop a task and make adjustments as needed is necessary. When you know your surroundings, you can take better notice of the things that are out of the ordinary. Panicking adds to the chaos and breeds knee-jerk reactions, causing people to abandon all protocol and enter a fight-or-flight mentality. Safety Awareness Construction Center of Excellence Situational awareness is a critical foundation for successful decision making in most situations that you can be put in at work. Often there is so much 'going on' in your work environment, or you become so absorbed in your own thoughts, that you fail to spot those things that could pose a serious threat to your health and safety. First, stop talking so you can be aware of your surroundings rather than verbally reacting. This is how your strengths and opportunities for improvement can be identified. Situational awareness at work is a crucial part of your health and safety. If you suspect you are being followed, go into an open store or a Public Safety Safe Haven and have the clerk call the Police or Public Safety right-away. What if this was happening to the person in the car next to you? What about someone screaming for help? ASSESS - The effects that the hazards will have upon you, the people you work with, equipment, procedures, pressures and the environment around you. Truckers should be constantly checking their mirrors to keep an eye on the traffic around them. Leave a little earlier. Health And Safety Considerations In Plumbing: What You Need To Know In this video, I go over a simple driving lesson on paying attention to your surroundings. This doesnt mean you should be paranoid or stop enjoying your time out in public or at work, its simply about practicing and mastering situational awareness a skill that could save your life or someone elses. The more space you allow between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead, the more time you will have to see a hazard, and stop or avoid that hazard. Every time we do a task, our mind creates a script. Someone may step out from between them, a vehicle door may open, or a vehicle may pull out suddenly. Los Angeles, CA 90095-1364, Phone: (310) 825-1491 2. Being aware of your surroundings - UAB News 7. So put the phone down. Did you leave yourself enough room to maneuver away? Not playing on your phone might improve your chances of thwarting an attack. Dont be predictable. The most common thing that reduces aware is distraction. If you pass the same point before you finish counting, you are following too closely. The following topics are some simple ways to increase your situational awareness. If you are doing this to make tasks safer for you and others and to get the task done more efficiently you are showing situational awareness. Turn on your lights during the day, if it is hard to see or you cannot see at least 1,000 feet ahead of you. These vehicles must stop at railroad crossings; so, slow down early and allow plenty of room. Such awareness permits some hazards to be avoided and others to be safe-guarded against. "If you think about it, the thought of burning to death sounds really terrifying," Klinger said. Speak Up: Report all the following situations immediately to your supervisor (while at work) or to the person in charge (when out in public): accidents, injuries, close calls, near misses, safety hazards or concerns, and any suspicious persons, activity, or behavior. Be aware of your surroundings, and be alert to who is near you. Don't presume changes in your surroundings are innocent or fine. In this safety talk, we will go over what situational awareness is and ways you can improve on it in your daily lives including at work. 4. There is a tendency to After working with you to understand your specific needs, we evaluate potential solutions to determine which best meets your operational and financial requirements. Watching your surrounding can reduce the risk of vehicle collisions, dropping objects, injuries from falling objects and many other accidents. Thats the most important question in self defense, in my opinion. Don't open your purse or wallet while boarding the bushave your pass or money already in your hand. Report all suspicious persons and activities to the proper authorities (office manager, building security, law enforcement). Situational awareness is being aware of what is happening around you in terms of where you are, where you are supposed to be, and whether anyone or anything around you is a threat to your health and safety. Take safety and emergency drills seriously. A few quick tips that might signal potential danger include shiftiness, hands in pockets, and avoiding eye contact. In the same vein as minimizing distractions, you want to identify threats before they become threats. BY looking with your ears, you simply are following the environment and what it wants you to see, rather than everything else that may matter that is going on simultaneously. What would you do? Frequent practice is vital, as no two situations are the same, and every environment provides unique conditions that will challenge your adaptability. When you think the work environment has changed since your last time there. Be aware of your surroundings. Think of how many people you see walking around with their head buried in their iPhone? Both Gay and Klinger noted that "stop, drop and roll" is a classic life skill students learn as part of safety lessons in school. Adjust your work setup so that you face a window or are exposed to plenty of light. 2. Keep in mind, carrying a weapon still isnt a magic pill. As an example, imagine walking down the street and you observe a shifty man with his hands in his pockets hiding in a dark alleyway as he watches you walk toward him. At 35 mph, it takes about 210 feet to react and bring the vehicle to a complete stop. Always be alert and aware of the people around you. In this post, Ill discuss a number of techniques and tips that can help you learn how to increase awareness of your surroundings. Check out the new logo that I created on LogoMakr.com https://logomakr.com/8SX1NH. Beware electronic distractions. Technology draws us in and makes it harder to observe the vital things around us. In the city, 1015 seconds is about one block. Environmental Health and Safety provides services and support for efficient, effective, and compliant work practices, while promoting a culture of shared responsibility by students, faculty, staff and visitors for a healthy, safe, and environmentally soun Brake slowly before stopping. PDF Be Aware of Your Surroundings - | mpdc Make safety a revenue generating part of your company through increased productivity and save thousands of dollars avoiding expensive injuries, lawsuits, and claims. PDF Be Aware of your Surroundings - The Raymond Group Proprioception refers to your awareness of your body and limbs in your surrounding space. Be alert for pickpocketers on crowded elevators. This article will delve into some of the key health and safety considerations when it comes to plumbing work. Always look to each side of your vehicle at intersections, crosswalks, and railroad crossings. When beginning work on a new project/contract/customer location. Eye-Opening Truck Driving Safety Tips That Will Save Lives - Smart Trucking Always be aware of what's going on all around the vehicle. Offensive precautions, or those that allow you to more easily defend yourself, include keeping at least one hand free with your keys or self defense tool (not cellphone) in that hand.