The Independence in Risk


The Risk of Independence





The Declaration of Independence, the statement adopted by the Second Continental Congress on July 4, 1776 announced that the 13 American colonies of Great Britain would regard themselves as 13 independent sovereign states. 

The 56 signers of this bold document were risk takers and they knew it.  Legends emerged years later about the signing.  Among these legends was the story that John Hancock told the Congress shortly after the signing that they must now "all hang together," and Benjamin Franklin replied: "Yes, we must indeed all hang together, or most assuredly we shall all hang separately." 

Our forefathers were aware of the risky actions and willfully chose to make their bold statement.  While not to the extent of our forefathers, our employees are risk takers in the workplace.  They evaluate their surroundings and make decisions that affect their personal safety hundreds of times per day.  Like our forefathers, workers are driven to a common good.  They want to perform their jobs efficiently and effectively.  However, unlike our famous forefathers, many workers aren't fully aware of the potential consequences of their risky behavior.  

Improving safety culture starts with understanding the worker's mindset surrounding these risky decisions.  As leaders in safety, we must stand side by side with our workforce and get to know what they do; why they do it; and the anticipated outcome of their actions.  By joining the workforce in the job task, leaders can acknowledge hazards that can lead to injury before the event occurs.  This hands on approach is forward thinking instead of proceeding through an injury investigation that starts post injury and works backwards.

Tamworth Business Solutions believes risk in the workplace is reduced by simply being present with the workers.  Its a great place to start the conversation of workplace safety and declare your independence from accidents and injuries.   

   



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