be aware of your surroundings safety talk

1. This means that everyone's situational awareness is individual and potentially different. 1. Dr. Michael Pittaro. Situational awareness is being aware of what is happening around you in terms of where you are, where you are supposed to be, and whether anyone or anything around you is a threat to your health and safety. Body language plays an extremely important role in how you are perceived by others. The reaction of the person following you will help you determine if they are indeed a threat: If they stop or reroute to mirror your actions, then you can confirm that they are following you intentionally. A second important element of the proper mindset is understanding the need to take responsibility for ones own safety. Be careful when driving near motorcyclists or bicyclists. Avoid doorways, bushes and alleys where someone could hide. Los Angeles, CA 90095-1364, Phone: (310) 825-1491 Brake slowly before stopping. However, combining great awareness with a weapon might increase your odds of fending of an attack. What about someone screaming for help? We can give you your valuable time back with 365 prepared toolbox talks just like this one about watching your surroundings, all delivered from our iOS and Android apps to your workers' phones, so your workers are focused, productive, and accident-free. Successful situational awareness requires a proactive and flexible mindset, which can be achieved through regular practice. Keep your belongings in front of you and hold close to your body with both hands. That might be difficult hearing all that while wearing headphones. Where could I escape? Premeditating such responses can help them to become second-nature in the event of an actual emergency, making your response more effective. If you are being tailgated, be careful! Become a Hard Target: Those with malicious intent generally single out individuals that seem meek, vulnerable, or unaware of their surroundings. By taking a few simple precautions, you can reduce the risk to yourself and also discourage those who commit crimes. Also be aware: "Familiarity breeds contempt" 1. Required fields are marked *. The other driver may not see your vehicle and could change lanes and hit you. You should aim to avoid falling into this auto-pilot mode while going about your daily life. #1 Be Aware of Your Surroundings Every job site has inherent dangers whether that's heavy machinery, conveyor belts, or even tripping over items in the office. Be aware of escape routes for emergencies and post the police and fire department numbers near telephones. Also, do not be afraid to speak loudly to someone so that you can get the attention of others nearby. Stay safe this spring break by following safety tips from the Institutional Access and Compliance Office. Make sure you understand all the policies and procedures before you start a new job. Avoiding complacency can help increase your perception of your surrounding. Second, if anything does happen, you'll know where you can run for help. However, we do know this man is acting like a mugger. Be careful what you put out there and how much information you put out there about your family. Many criminals develop favorite areas for committing crime, as well as predictable methods of operation. Make sure if your employer provides training on situational awareness that you attend because you can always improve yourself. Toolbox Talk: 4 Keys to Effective Safety Communication, Toolbox Talk: Staying Safe While Performing Non-Routine Tasks, Toolbox Talk: Refocusing After a Vacation or the Holidays, University District Gateway Bridge Celebration, Garco Earns AISC Steel Erectors Certification. Cooper CS4 Touring Review Is It Worth Buying? Take a different route to work. An enhanced sense of your surroundings allows for better preparation should a crisis event unfold. How is it different from what you see? There is a tendency to Correct Potential Hazards. ]dXa78Gr5Ye}J(tvW8(:wT7. If your team sees you doing it then they are likely to follow. Preparing properly for them and taking safety seriously are essential actions to save lives and mitigate damage. Maybe he isnt so innocent. First, notice your surroundings. Scanning your surroundings (keeping your eyes moving) includes keeping a safe distance around your vehicle. Watch yourself when you would be most vulnerable down the hall to the bathroom which is tucked way back in the corner or in the parking lot when no one else is around. You probably think you already do this, but being intentional about locating exits and doors, paying attention to the people around you, and practicing simple habits like looking over your shoulder in a parking lot before you get into your car should be part of your daily routine. Check your mirrors often. When you know your surroundings, you can take better notice of the things that are out of the ordinary. . Be aware of who you are in the electronic world. A consistent and structured daily toolbox talk will save lives and reduce injuries. We use cookies to manage and improve your website experience. How can you improve your situational awareness? However, when was the last time there was a drill to ensure every person in the establishment knows what to do? Ask questions about certain job scenarios and even role play if it helps you get a better understanding of what you need to do. endstream endobj startxref At freeway exits, do not drive alongside other cars. Emergency situations can and often do escalate quickly due to panic. If you don't report a crime, this allows the criminal to continue to operate without interference. You probably already do this, it is called defensive driving. Everyone that drives a car knows that feeling of forgetting what youre doing after continuously driving a few hours. Often people are overwhelmed when you start talking about situational awareness and everything that goes along with it. If youre already thinking about it, then you are more likely to do it in a defensive scenario. Always lock your car doors after entering or leaving your vehicle. Protect your Back: Utilize walls and other barriers to protect your back and sides and maximize your field of vision, taking care not to back yourself into a corner. Simply put, in order to have situational awareness you have to be open to a variety of perspectives and insights. Your brain goes into auto-pilot and you slowly stop consciously processing your surroundings. Your email address will not be published. When walking, stay in well-lit areas and walk in numbers, if possible. That perpetual image could include thinking to push your shopping cart into an attacker or using your stiletto heel to fend off an attack. It is important to note that situational awareness, being aware of ones surroundings and identifying potential hazards and dangerous situations, is more of a mindset than a skill. Situational awareness is often split into three elements: These three elements basically mean you not only need to understand what is going on around you, but also be able to communicate and act on situations that put you at risk. Be vigilant. original sound - tarryncarla. Inform the driver of the situation. A lack of situational awareness affects your personal safety in two broad . The best way to be safe is to know your surroundings and pay attention to everything and everyone around you. Training workers to watch their surroundings reduces the risk of workplace accidents and injuries. Make sure you communicate until everyone involved understands what is going on. Falken Ziex ZE-329 Review Should You Get this Tire? A script is a memory that helps us get things done. Do not stay in another drivers blind spot. If someone bothers you or makes you feel uncomfortable, change seats. *bgv&bT!zv~[a ? Lt. Murphys experience during these exercises is just one example of why consistent training and drills in schools, offices, and places of worship are so important. This is how your strengths and opportunities for improvement can be identified. Stop and Pretend: If you feel like you are being followed, either on foot or in a vehicle, stop and turn around, pretending as if you went the wrong way. Be aware of your surroundings and watch for small mistakes. Personal safety begins with an individuals awareness to their environment no one can defend against danger they couldnt see coming. What about members of the response team, including law enforcement were they able to carry out the proper procedures successfully? The driver behind you wants to pass. At least half of the crimes in the Unites States go unreported, either because people don't think the police can do anything about it, or because people don't want to get involved. Think of how many people you see walking around with their head buried in their iPhone? 6. Be aware of locations and situations which would make you appear vulnerable to crime, such as alleys and dark parking lots. When people are in an area where there is potential danger (which, in reality, is almost anywhere), they should go through most of the day in a state of relaxed awareness. Pay attention to your surroundings, minimize the amount of time you talk on your cell phone in public places. Know Your Exits. The more space you allow between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead, the more time you will have to see a hazard, and stop or avoid that hazard. 14. Our situational awareness can be further reduced in times of high workload or when under pressure to get a job done on time. Arrowhead General Insurance Agency, Inc. - Program for Sovereign Indian Nations. It is easy to get wrapped up in the task at hand and lose track of your surroundings. Being able to stop a task and make adjustments as needed is necessary. There are a lot of blind spots, corners, turns, and on the equipment itself. Be alert of your surroundings at all time - Teens can be especially guilty of being oblivious to their surroundings. If you are biased on your views it can lead to risks for you and your coworkers. A basic breathing practice that can be used throughout the day, especially during times of stress, is the Four Square Breathing Technique. Avoid hauling weight that exceeds the counterweight of the forklift. If you get the sense that something is wrong or doesnt add up, do not ignore it. Do you think these people are likely to notice the pre-attack cues of a potentially dangerous situation? How many Martial Arts schools are there in the US. The comatose level is where you go into shock, your brain ceases to process information and you simply cannot react to the reality of the situation. Discuss what actions are needed with your customer or supervisor to make the situation safe. This is a state in which you are relaxed but are also watching other cars on the road and looking ahead for potential hazards. Safe driving demands more than just staring out the front window. Look inside your vehicle before you get in, especially when it has been parked in a parking terminal or lot. You dont know. Again, I know it can be boring walking around without music, but keeping your ears wide open can help your situational awareness. That is why getting familiar with the layout of buildings you are making smart safety sense. Ask yourself if you have the proper tools, training and PPE to perform the task safely. Then, if they spot something out of the ordinary that could be a threat or hazard, they can dial up to a state of focused awareness and take a careful look at that potential hazard or threat. Public officials have records of where you live for tax and property ownership purposes. No. Not sure? If you have any questions, problems, or comments about Login, please contact the University Service Desk at (404) 727-7777 or the Emory Healthcare Call Center at (404) 778-HELP. Even if there is not currently a dangerous situation or nobody has been injured, if there are elements that could lead to either of these things, the person in charge should be made aware so that they can take the appropriate action. Make sure they are away from your vehicle and in full view before moving your vehicle. You see a bus, school bus, or a placarded vehicle at railroad crossings. We hope these tips can be of value to you as 2019 begins, and we wish you a happy (and safe!) Proceed With Caution A warehouse is a busy place, with many different things going on at once. This situational awareness process also demonstrates the importance of all of us being familiar with our environment and the hazards that exist there. Stopping work to make adjustments- Sometimes things do not go as you planned and thought they would. Be aware of your surroundings. In the training, we saw a video of a man who starts whacking a car that is sitting at a stop light with a large metal pipe. After working with you to understand your specific needs, we evaluate potential solutions to determine which best meets your operational and financial requirements. This calms the body and declutters the brain so you can react appropriately. Often there is so much 'going on' in your work environment, or you become so absorbed in your own thoughts, that you fail to spot those things that could pose a serious threat to your health and safety. The load should be carefully checked to ensure it's suitable, undamaged and stable for the forklift - avoid lifting anything that isn't safe . When working with new or different workmates. Take one more look to the left in case there is a vehicle or a pedestrian you did not see the first time. Situational awareness is a critical foundation for successful decision making in most situations that you can be put in at work. In the same vein as minimizing distractions, you want to identify threats before they become threats. Take a quick glance in your mirrors. 2023 Arrowhead General Insurance Agency, Inc. CA License #0699809, How you can prevent business fraud at your company, Steps to prevent winter property damage to roofs, Employers, help workers prevent worksite fatigue [infographic]. If you are doing this to make tasks safer for you and others and to get the task done more efficiently you are showing situational awareness. It requires you to stay alert and draw upon your unique set of experiences and skills to evaluate your environment. 5 Tips to Stay Safe While Welding. The recent news of the murder of the Texas District Attorney and his wife in their home makes everyones heart skip a beat and wonder. Taking your safety seriously doesnt just help you, but can benefit others as well. Keep your workplace clear from clutter You talk with others about safety. Pirelli Cinturato Strada All Season Review Is It the Tire for You? Be aware of your surroundings, and be alert to who is near you. Last but not least do not assume that just because you told someone about a risk or a correct procedure that they heard you or they agreed with you. There are hazards and risks every day on the job site and to keep yourself and your coworkers safe you have to be aware of them. I know this sounds extremely difficult, but I can assure you that it is not as hard as you think. Denial is a save now, pay later scheme. Schools and businesses that continue to be in denial must realize it is not a matter of if they will face an active killer or an attempt of mass violence, but rather when. Lt. Murphy. Of course the most important factor in reading body language is just noticing the persons body. In an emergency you do not have a lot of time to take in your surroundings. The following topics are some simple ways to increase your situational awareness. Do not develop a fixed stare. Keep scanning. Look up occasionally to re-scan your surroundings and make note of any changes. Situational awareness is the opposite of being distracted. Assessment of your working environment should occur continually, but especially in the following situations: Why is situational awareness important to us? Like if a job is too risky for one person to do it, or if a machine seems faulty.