Farm Safety – 10 Seconds Can Change a Life – Yours Included

Farming of any kind is one of the most dangerous professions in business.  Dangerous not only for the adults that are involved in it, but extremely dangerous to the younger family members that are in & around the farm.  While sales itself is hopefully not a dangerous profession, the thousands of miles we drive every year creates a dangerous situation for hours each day.  Many of those hours, we are surrounded by distracted drivers, intoxicated/impaired drivers, rushing/risk taking drivers and that’s not to mention the good old aggressive drivers or the variable driving conditions we go through, like snow, ice, fog, construction, school zones, etc.

Take a few minutes today to think about how you can be more alert in your own environment.

Take a few minutes today to look out for your peers, customers or neighbors by showing you care enough about their well-being to speak up when you see unsafe conditions.

Several years ago, the poem below was presented along with a video clip to promote employees to stop unsafe activity and take the initiative to speak up about it.  Read, implement and enjoy the rewards of living and working in a safe environment.

It only takes a few seconds to stop what you are doing and self-assess how safe you are at any given moment.

It only takes a few seconds to stop a friend and observe the unsafe condition together.  You don’t have to be the authority on it, you don’t have to be the moral high authority by judging them or condemning their intelligence on it.  Just stop them and observe it together.

Things people have said to me over the years that I am grateful for:

• You should wear your bike helmet today – How many times do we have safety equipment or procedures but just don’t use them. We know better. I knew better, but had to be reminded.
• Let’s take a few seconds and throw the fuse before going any further – In a hurry? Don’t be.  Rushing is one of the fastest ways to get hurt.  Take the time to turn off, lock out/tag out equipment.  Not just electrical.  This includes anything under pressure from air pressure to water pressure to hydraulic equipment.
• Is it that important that you get there today? Tonight? Right now? This is a great question to ask yourself or your sales team.  With inclement weather or driving conditions, think about how important that sales call really is.  I know you want to be reliable and show up no matter what the conditions, but customers will understand.  Unless you are delivering a donor organ, the appointment can wait.
• Should you really saw that branch while sitting there? Luckily this one has not happened but it’s a metaphor for ladder safety.  Falling at home is easily prevented by using ladders correctly.  I have been asked many times “You’re going to fall with the ladder that way!”

Go home safe today and help others go home safer as well!

I Chose To Look The Other Way

I could have saved a life that day,
But I chose to look the other way.
It wasn’t that I didn’t care;
I had the time, and I was there.

But I didn’t want to seem a fool,
Or argue over a safety rule.
I knew he’d done the job before;
If I spoke up he might get sore.

The chances didn’t seem that bad;
I’d done the same, he knew I had.
So I shook my head and walked by;
He knew the risks as well as I.

He took the chance, I closed an eye;
And with that act, I let him die.
I could have saved a life that day,
But I chose to look the other way.

Now every time I see his wife,
I know I should have saved his life.
That guilt is something I must bear;
But isn’t’ something you need to share.

If you see a risk that others take
That puts their health or life at stake,
The question asked or thing you say;
Could help them live another day.

If you see a risk and walk away,
Then hope you never have to say,
“I could have saved a life that day,
But I chose to look the other way.”

by: Don Merril

http://gregmartinelli.net/