National Safety Month - Week Three - Risk Reduction
Hazards are all around us at work and home, and the threats can take many different forms. A hazard can be defined as any existing or potential condition that, by itself or by interacting with other variables, can result in death, injury, property damage or other loss. That’s why it is so important for all of us to always be on the lookout. If we can identify hazards early, they can be addressed, fixed and injury or illness can be prevented.
At Mauser Packaging Solutions, a variety of methods are utilized to reduce risks in the workplace. We use leading indicators to ensure risks are identified before injuries occur and empower employees with the knowledge to confidently report potential risks. While basic principles expected behaviors apply at all locations, each facility has different inherent risks and is at different stages of the journey to a completely safe workplace. Therefore, the methods for reducing risk will be slightly different from one facility to the next.
One of the key principles in risk reduction is reporting unsafe situations or behaviors. At Mauser, every employee should feel empowered to speak up regarding safety. Don’t assume that someone else has seen and reported it already, even if it seems obvious to you. It’s better to have multiple reports on the same hazard than none at all. You are the expert of your job, your workstation, your routines and tools. If you notice something out of the ordinary, say something about it. Also, be sure to avoid the trap of complacency – when you’ve done something a thousand times it can be difficult to spot a lurking hazard.