Forget the resolution to lose the 10 pounds that you and I talk about every year at this time, and do something that might save a worker's life, perhaps your own.

The most distressing thing I encounter at fatality investigations is how little effort it would have taken to prevent the fatality. I will say that again. HOW LITTLE EFFORT IT WOULD HAVE TAKEN TO PREVENT THE WORKER'S DEATH! Two recent fatalities I investigated drove home again the importance of Pre-Job Hazard Assessments.

P.S. Looking for a speaker for your Spring kick-off safety meeting? I would be pleased to share the fatality investigation lessons I've learned.

Setting safety performance goals for 2011?

Looking to decrease accident numbers or severity?

A simple process for improving safety performance with a huge cost benefit payback is right in front of you and largely ignored. It offers minimal cost (a few minutes of time) and a huge payback - a safe, well planned job. You have your own name for it, but I'm talking about the ten-minute safety meeting that is supposed to take place prior to the start of work.

Every single workplace fatality, but one, of the many I've investigated in the past ten years has had as a significant if NOT THE MOST SIGNIFICANT CAUSE the quality, content and execution of the PJHA. Either it did not happen, or everyone went through the motions and the real hazards of the day's job were not discussed. PLEASE DO NOT GO THOUGH THE MOTIONS, lives are at stake!

Yes, I know it slippery out there, and things like hearing protection are important, but let's get serious and talk about what's going to kill people! It's not a twisted ankle or high noise! It's the hazards of the job you do everyday or often the job performed just a few times a year. Everyone thinks it's a routine job, so the hazards are not discussed in depth nor documented.

Supervisors tend view the completion of the PJHA form as a piece of paperwork to get out of the way. Many do not know how to complete the form properly, or really understand its purpose. During investigations, I often find the next day's PJHA already completed, and ones from previous days simply "boilerplate" copies with no attention paid to the real hazards of the job.

If you are a supervisor, a 2011 resolution to do a better job on the PJHA is not good enough. You need to recognize the PJHA process and the paperwork as the most important task of your day. People's lives depend on your team understanding the hazards they face, and how to safely perform the work.

You are not in this alone! You may know most of the hazards of the job, but you don't know them all. The workers doing the work likely know about hazards you may not be aware of, and you must get their input. The PJHA needs to be a shared process of discussion and learning. Insist workers take a role in the hazard discussion. When they do, you will quickly learn how well they know the steps of the job.

Safety professionals. You know these PJHAs are not being done well and no one appears to be holding anyone accountable. You can change that!

Investigation Kit

Kit Details (pdf article)

Pricing and Ordering Information

E-Learning Programs

My E-Learning programs are available without cost to newsletter subscribers. Each takes about an hour to complete.

Incident Investigation
The Incident Investigation program provides an overview or introduction to the process.

Collision Scene Management
The Collision Scene Management session would benefit drivers who may have to gather collision scene evidence.

Alberta Occupational Health and Safety Act

Convictions - Alberta Occupational Health and Safety Act

Charges - Alberta Occupational Health and Safety Act