SEVEN HUMAN FACTORS

“Habit is the deepest law of human nature.” Most of us would agree: people are strongly influenced by habit. Safe work habits improve everyone’s job safety. There are seven common human factors that help develop safe habits.

• Hazard Recognition – When watching for hazards, you must consider not just the obvious ones but also those that might suddenly appear through someone else’s actions or a chain of unusual circumstances. Whenever a hazard is detected, report it to someone who can correct it.

• Avoiding Indifference – An individual might know the correct way to do a job but choose to ignore it. Even experienced employees with safety training may sometimes skip proper procedures. Others who are unfamiliar with safety rules might also ignore them instead of learning the correct way. These kinds of indifference on the job can lead to accidents and other problems.

• Eliminating “Daredevil” Behavior – Have you ever seen someone take a risky shortcut or stunt on the job, like standing on the top rung of a ladder? Even when ladders are clearly marked with “Do not stand above this level,” people sometimes ignore the warning. Avoiding this kind of daredevil behavior is an important factor in preventing injuries both on the job and at home.

• Setting a Good Example – Your actions influence the attitudes and habits of others. Experienced employees who follow safety rules can set a positive example for newer workers, while condoning unsafe actions can create a culture of risk.

• Avoiding Impulsiveness – Another link in the chain of job safety is avoiding impulsiveness and rushing is an important part of job safety. Haste often leads to accidents. Employees frequently suggest timesaving methods, but these should be reviewed and approved before use. Taking the time to work safely helps prevent injuries.

• Controlling Impatience – Controlling impatience and temper is equally important to job safety. If emotions get out of control, an accident can occur. Statistics show that on-the-job violence is increasing in the U.S. Do you have programs in place to identify potential problems before tempers flare? 

• Proper Training and Instruction – One of the most important human factors in safe work habits is training. From birth, we are constantly learning, picking up both good and bad habits along the way. Job training and safety go hand in hand. Supervisors are responsible for providing training, but employees must ask questions if instructions are unclear or if they have doubts about procedures. Even experienced employees can become inattentive, which can create hazards.

Proper work habits ensure job safety. Each of us is responsible for developing safe habits. By staying aware of the human factors discussed, we can form safe work habits and maintain a safe workplace.