INADEQUATE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

INADEQUATE OR OUTDATED PROCEDURES When a mishap occurs, examine the procedures you followed just before the mishap. They may be in error or they may not provide enough detailed “how-to” information. Or, perhaps the technical manual was not updated when a piece of equipment was upgraded or replaced. As a result, you could inadvertently be using the wrong procedures for a particular task. If this is the case, take the initiative to complete the required paperwork to update the technical manual. INADEQUATE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS You must be aware of the safety precautions associated with the job or task you are performing. They must either be posted in your work area or listed in the technical manual you’re using. If they aren’t available, you could be attempting something hazardous and not even know it. Make sure you read ALL applicable precautions. Even if you performed the task before and are familiar with it, it’s possible that new or revised precautions exist. BEHAVIORAL FACTORS THAT CAUSE MISHAPS Your behavior is much more complex than the equipment you operate and maintain. Equipment, regardless of how it’s designed and powered, is predictable in its response to certain cues or signals. If a piece of equipment quits working, you can isolate the fault to a specific part with the use of test equipment and schematics. This isn’t true for you. Your behavior while performing a task is based on a combination of factors that come from your unique experiences, knowledge, attitude, and motivation. Each of the above factors can affect your behavior regarding safety. Behavior that leads to a mishap is usually caused by undesirable attitudes a n d motivations. Attitudes. Attitudes are complex mental states that affect your reaction toward some object, event, or state of affairs. They cause you to form opinions and act in certain predictable ways, some favorable and others unfavorable. Attitudes that do not support safe behavior hamper mishap prevention. And, they can also actually cause mishaps. Motivations. Motivations are incentives for spe- cific acts. Your behavior is based on your motivation, and your motivation is shaped by your attitudes. Ensur- ing that you have positive motivations toward job safety is clearly a very complex problem. It’s complicated be- cause you do not simply react to the basic needs of com- fort, security, affiliation, and self-fulfillment. Your motivations on and off the job are also greatly affected by the attitudes, feeling, tensions, and emotions of the world around you. The following are some undesirable motivations that can lead you to mishaps in the work- place: — Motivation to save time and effort — Motivation to maintain personal comfort — Motivation to gain approval and attract attention — Motivation to express resentment Motivation to Save Time and Effort You may sometimes be more concerned about doing a job quickly than you are about doing it safely. You may believe that saving time and effort will leave extra time for “shooting the breeze” or taking a break. Or, you may just find satisfaction in being the first to finish. Motivations like these can cause incorrectly dissembled parts, jury-rigged equipment, incorrect use of tools, improper procedures, equipment damage, and injury. Sometimes a command’s operational commitments or a supervisor’s demands, if excessive, will lead to unsafe actions that you normally wouldn’t consider doing. Motivation to Maintain Personal Comfort Sometimes you perform a job incorrectly because some of the actions required to perform the job properly cause you discomfort. For example, when a task calls for safety goggles, you may decide not to wear them because they’re uncomfortable. The same can apply to hearing protection, safety shoes, and safety harnesses. You may believe you aren’t susceptible to injury—but you are. 1-6