The Evolution of Workplace Safety – 9/19/22

Safety E-QuickTips

U.S. Compliance Systems, Inc.

Monday Sep 19, 2022

The Evolution of Workplace Safety

Have you taken a close look at your TV remote lately?

40-60 buttons, some do this, and some do that. This button moves you to right, this one to the left, this one up and this one down.

And then you realize that one remote isn’t enough – then there are 2 remotes.

Well back in the day when the TV remote was first invented, it only had a few buttons or controls. They turned the TV on and off and on a good day could turn the channels.

The TV remote has really evolved, leaving many of us a bit confused wondering which button you should try next.

Workplace safety has taken on a similar evolution.

When people first started to talk about workplace safety, the tools we used were the basic Safety Program and some safety meetings.

Then it happened.

The more advanced and complete Safety Program; safety meetings took on new names, like toolbox talks and tailgate meetings; 1000’s of pages of regulations (in small print); JHA’s, AHA’s, and JTHA’s; Safety Data Sheets; safety training; online safety training and the list goes on and on.

Sound a bit familiar?

Ah yes, the evolution of workplace safety has brought us to a place of confusion.Where do we start and what should we do next?

But there might be hope.

You see, some TV remote manufacturers have begun to realize that 40-60 buttons may just be a bit much and we’re now seeing a few remotes with less buttons that focus on – Only What Viewers Really Need.

What if we tried to do the same thing with workplace safety and compliance?

Only What You Need – When You Need It. It’s something to think about.

We’ll talk more about it next week.

Have you just received your first Safety E-QuickTip or just want to look at past issues? Check out our Safety E-QuickTips Archive Page on our website.

Employee QuickTip

Protecting yourself from hazards in the workplace comes down to just 3 things. 1. Recognizing the hazards. 2. Understanding how to protect yourself from those hazards. 3. Do what is necessary to protect yourself from those hazards. It’s that simple.

Employer/Management QuickTip

To be effective, workplace safety and compliance doesn’t have to be difficult. Don’t over complicate it. If you focus on Only what Your Employees Need to do today to be safe, that’s a great start.

Have you received your first Safety E-QuickTip or just want to look at 500+ past issues? Check out our Safety E-QuickTips Archive Page on our website.

If you know of someone or a company that might benefit from receiving Safety E-QuickTips, please take a moment to share this with them so they can sign-up today.

Thanks for Reading and Please – Stay Healthy and Work Safe.