PROACTIVE VS REACTIVE APPROACH

Many of the safety rules and procedures that are in place were devised due to repetitive injury.

When we implement a safeguard after an incident occurs we are taking a reactive approach to safety. We can look at the majority of rules and procedures that we follow today as a proactive approach towards safety, however many of them came from a reactive position.

Something bad had to happen first before many of the rules and procedures were put into place. Being proactive is the best way to approach safety in the workplace. Addressing and eliminating hazards before work begins should be a main goal of a company’s safety program.

Many workers or the management in some companies would rather take a reactive approach with some hazards rather than being proactive and eliminating them up front. This mindset puts everyone onsite and the company as a whole at risk for an incident or injury.

To eliminate some hazards it takes thought and planning to do correctly. Other times, a two minute conversation to move a vehicle, for example, could save hours of downtime, money, and stress for everyone involved.

A little forethought can go a long way!