Tip 49 - Gambler – Who me?

Do you ever ‘Play the Lottery?’ Of course you do everyday, right!
Every time you get in you car, cross the street, go to work or the grocery store there is risk involved. Routine tasks like throwing a breaker, driving nails, chopping wood, or putting up Christmas lights can get you hurt especially if your mind and eyes are not on task.

Our choices and our actions can have a huge influence on the risks we face and the eventual outcomes when a chance exposure meets a waiting hazard. The right choices can make all the difference.

Various hobbies can increase the risk factor
Kayaking, skydiving, and other extreme sports involve a lot of risk that can lead to serious injury. Simply taking a motorcycle or four-wheeler for a spin, or stock car racing on Saturday night can also lead to injury. Bicycles and skateboards pose risk for our children as do cars and cell phones.

Many people are ‘tuned out’ now days with MP-3 players and other distractions. Just crossing the street is risky but if you’re jamming to Black Sabbath or Willie Nelson on your iPod or MP-3 player you’re asking for it. Similarly, using power tools or working around the house also poses a certain amount of risk. In fact workers are six times more likely to get hurt at home. And whether on the job or off, the more experienced we become the more chances we are willing to take. Complacency is a key factor in a lot of injuries and the consequences can be fatal. Remember Eyes on Task/Mind on Task.

Daily choices can have a lasting impact
Simply choosing not to Buckle Up can end up being a death sentence. Leaving the confines of the vehicle increases your chance of death by 300%. Choosing not to wear PPE can also have dire consequences. Some say it is a modified version of Russian roulette. You may luck out and avoid injury for years but as time goes by the odds stack up against you. Remember hazards vary; some things (e.g. electricity) can cause harm with one exposure others (e.g. welding fumes) cause serious health problems over time. Be smart reduce your risk, look for ways to reduce the hazard(s) and when you have no other options Wear the proper PPE. Proper inspection, maintenance, and storage of PPE is vital to maximize your protection.

Use the proper tool for the job
Falls are the No. 1 killer in the home! So buy a good industrial ladder (avoid the inexpensive aluminum ones you can get at Wal-Mart – they have a 200 lb. limit). It will cost you a little extra, but so will being laid up at home for 6 weeks when that cheap ladder fails.

Take Workplace Exams and Equipment Inspections seriously
Required inspections are tools to identify hazards and reduce risk so don’t pencil whip them. Conduct thorough exams of your work area and the equipment you operate to uncover hazards before an exposure occurs. Report issues as you find them and get deficiencies corrected in a timely fashion.

Safety...it's your job too!