We’ve all seen horrific photos of people going around, through or under barriers at railway crossings and just making it across the track before a train comes thundering through. They are extreme examples of how we all take risks to save a few precious minutes.
We run a safety training course called “Aristos” (Greek for “excellence” or “best”) in our company. As part of the course we ask people to think of a situation where they were injured or nearly injured and why it happened. In 8 out of 10 cases (and we have trained thousands) it comes down to people trying to save time and underestimating the risks.
They use a craft knife instead of the right tool to open a package; they dash down the stairs without holding the handrail as they should; they drive too quickly and end up surprised by an obstruction in the road.
Sadly, instead of saving a few minutes there are often devastating, unexpected results: cuts, falls, accidents and injuries.
As humans we are not very good at assessing risks – if we haven’t personally and recently experienced a problem we discount the risks in a millisecond and decide there is no issue. We take the quicker option and often no harm is done. We get into the habit of going a bit quicker, taking the short-cut, using the wrong tool, omitting PPE and that time-saving habit usually serves us well. Until it goes wrong – as it does for thousands of people every year who are injured or die doing something routine and ordinary in the same way they have always done it.
So part of our Aristos training is recognising the trade-off we are always tempted to make if we can save a bit of time! Ultimately we want to avoid making decisions based on our flawed risk assessments. This is what one recent attendee told Willie – one of our course instructors for Aristo
We run a safety training course called “Aristos” (Greek for “excellence” or “best”) in our company. As part of the course we ask people to think of a situation where they were injured or nearly injured and why it happened. In 8 out of 10 cases (and we have trained thousands) it comes down to people trying to save time and underestimating the risks.
They use a craft knife instead of the right tool to open a package; they dash down the stairs without holding the handrail as they should; they drive too quickly and end up surprised by an obstruction in the road.
Sadly, instead of saving a few minutes there are often devastating, unexpected results: cuts, falls, accidents and injuries.
As humans we are not very good at assessing risks – if we haven’t personally and recently experienced a problem we discount the risks in a millisecond and decide there is no issue. We take the quicker option and often no harm is done. We get into the habit of going a bit quicker, taking the short-cut, using the wrong tool, omitting PPE and that time-saving habit usually serves us well. Until it goes wrong – as it does for thousands of people every year who are injured or die doing something routine and ordinary in the same way they have always done it.
So part of our Aristos training is recognising the trade-off we are always tempted to make if we can save a bit of time! Ultimately we want to avoid making decisions based on our flawed risk assessments. This is what one recent attendee told Willie – one of our course instructors for Aristos.
I’ve already encountered some “Aristos Moments” since the course and like to think I am already making the right choices even more than normal, or maybe just recognising them to be right.
On leaving the office on Wednesday I walked to get the bus – I was tempted to take a short-cut over some rough ground but, mindful of my training, decided to walk the longer “proper” way. On arrival I looked round the corner to see my bus leaving the bus stop and couldn’t help but think, “if only I had taken the short cut”. But who is to say I didn’t just prevent an injury – as well as any others who may have followed a negative behaviour. Now having to take the later bus and still arriving home before my wife and new daughter, I then realised, what did I even miss by arriving a few minutes later!! (Quiet time – maybe something I’ll come to crave in a few years?)
The next morning on my way driving into work I stopped at every amber light adding no more than 3 minutes to my journey. The plus side to this is that I now leave 5 minutes earlier in the morning to account for this. I have developed a new habit and taken away the time pressure.
Just a quick couple of examples to emphasise how Aristos will now play a major part in my life during work, home life, travel and leisure and I will be sure to champion the message any chance I get.
Thanks once again, Craig
If you don’t have time to do something safely – you may end up with more time than you think, OR no more time at all. Let’s all slow down and think through each risk.
Bob is the chief executive at Wood Group. Read more here.
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