From snowboarders to mountain climbers and skydivers, people have long sought the thrill of height. Two things help people who seek the rush of extreme activities that scare the hell out of most of us do their thing safely:
- Training
- Trust in their Gear
Properly maintained and employed safety gear and training with experts are standard. Thrill seekers know the consequences of an accident can be devastating. So they mitigate it.
The consequences of workplace accidents can be equally devastating. Workplace attitudes towards avoiding accidents should be no different.
Too many in the workforce skip or rush through those steps in the name of efficiency, or even laziness.
As a result, falls are the number one cause of critical worker injuries at construction sites in Ontario.
14 workers lost their lives falling from heights in 2015, leaving behind parents, children, siblings, and friends.
The sad reality is that too many are willing to push safety boundaries at work. Whether they’re due to a lack of training or a disregard for safety equipment, these injuries and deaths are preventable – the key is driving the message home to all parties.
We are ALL responsible for workplace safety.
Employers and supervisors, for providing comprehensive training, equipment and rescue plans.
Employees, for following guidelines, wearing their equipment and both refusing and reporting unsafe situations.
It’s easy to become complacent after years on the job, but it only takes one mistake to change everything.
Now, ignoring safety isn’t just dangerous or unethical–it’s also illegal. Under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA), violators can be prosecuted resulting in heavy fines or even jail time.
Please spread the word and encourage your fellow workers to stay safe.
We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments. Let us know how we can help, and please share any questions you may have about workplace protection.
When it comes to creating safe work environments, we’re all in this together.