Let’s Talk About Workplace Safety – 7/28/25

Safety E-Quick Tip

OWYN Safety Management Platform

Let’s Talk About You and Workplace Safety

How many times in your career have you thought, “That was close”? I’m referring to those moments when you felt you were in big trouble, unsure of how it would end, but convinced it wouldn’t end well.

Some people experience these moments early in their careers, while others might take a while, but sooner or later, most will encounter them. Sometimes, it doesn’t end well.

Now let me ask another question: “Was it a moment that could have been avoided if you had made a better choice?”

I’m not talking about instances where someone created a safety hazard that caught you off guard. I’m referring to those moments when you’ve thought, “I’ve done it this way for the past ___ years, and nothing has happened,” or “I know what I’m doing, and I don’t need to use any safety equipment.”

I can see that smile on your face as you reflect on those times—the ladder you hopped over to avoid getting down and moving it, working on that roof where you knew fall protection was the right approach but didn’t use it because others were watching, or removing that safety guard to get the job done quicker. And let’s not forget that trench you continued to work in even though you knew you weren’t protected from a cave-in.

We’ve all done it, and it’s likely carried over into our home lives from time to time.

Some of you may think I’m only addressing the current workforce, but I’m not. Even those of you in management, ownership, office work, and safety personnel have likely had a moment or two like that.

We’re all human. We may tell others—our children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and even friends—not to do something because they might get hurt, but we don’t always follow our own advice.

What you need to know is that your safety on the job is controlled by you 95% of the time; the remaining 5% relies on others.

Watch out for yourself and collaborate with others to prevent accidents in your workplace—because you and your coworkers depend on it for your safety and future.

Employee QuickTip

Take control of your safety on the job by making better choices and using the proper safety equipment, because most accidents can be avoided with a little extra caution.

Employer/Management QuickTip

Ensure your employees prioritize safety by fostering a culture that encourages proper safety practices and open communication about hazards, because you are responsible for their well-being.

Have you received your first Safety E-QuickTip and would like to check out some QuickTips from the past? Check out our Safety E-QuickTips Archive Page on our website.

If you know of someone or a company that might benefit from receiving Safety E-QuickTips, please take a moment to share this with them so they can sign-up today.

Stay Safe – You’ve Got This!

Your OWYN Safety Solution Team

Keith Dague, President