Safe Start January
Historically, we have shown an unusually high number of injuries in January, compared to the rest of the year. This month, let's refocus and be committed to working safely from the start.
January is a great time to focus on putting safety first, paying close attention to the task you’re doing – before and while you’re doing it. One technique used to help you stay focused and be prepared when performing an infrequent or non-routine task, is referred to as SLAM: Stop / Look / Analyze / Manage. Let’s take a closer look at what that means.
STOP! Review each step of the work to be performed before you begin.
- Can it be done safely?
- What is unknown about the task?
LOOK for and identify hazards in the work area where the task will be performed.
ANALYZE what needs to be done to perform the task safely.
- Do you have the proper tools to do the job?
- Do you have the needed personal protective equipment (PPE) and do you know how to use/wear it?
- Do you have the necessary equipment and do you know how to use it?
MANAGE. Take action! Eliminate safety concerns and risks BEFORE starting the task.
The SLAM technique empowers you to take control of your safety and the safety of those around you by outlining a clear process for you to follow for maximum safety.
For most of the year, we focus on leading indicators like safety training, completed poka yokes, and near miss reporting. But it’s important to also review our injury/illness data as part of our annual safety performance analysis. Following the review, we complete additional training and awareness events that, when paired with Safety techniques (like SLAM), should help us reduce the number of incidents in the future. To get ahead of January 2025, let’s remember what we’ve already learned, refocus our energy and be committed to a safe year.
To learn more about SLAM or other techniques to help you work safely, always, reach out to your local Safety Representative or Tony Dominic, Director – Safety, Health and Environment, at Tony.Dominic@olysteel.com.
Safety First. Always. And, it starts with me.
