Unsafe Acts
IOSH defines unsafe acts as
Any activity by workers which are not as per the prescribed safety standard or practice and which can cause or likely to cause accidents or risk for self or others at workplace, damage equipment and bring losses in terms of reputations and revenue to employer .
So, in short, let us say that unsafe acts are all of those acts that might cost someone dearly. The loss can be physical, or financial. It might also come in various other forms.
How do I know if this is an unsafe act or an unsafe condition?
It is well explained in the video below how to make the difference but I’ll write it here as well. Let us say you see an exposed electrical wire (this is an unsafe condition) that needs to be fixed. However, if you see someone DOING that in real-time, that makes it an unsafe act (because you saw it as it was happening).
How do I make a difference in the workplace?
each organization has its own ways of addressing unsafe acts and unsafe conditions. In some places, employees have received warning letters simply because they engaged in such activities (unsafe acts, or created unsafe conditions). This isn’t always the right way, rather, you can take the person aside and advise them or refuse to take part in this activity because it is unsafe.
Company Induction
As a part of any company’s onboarding program, all employees must participate in the initial onboarding and induction program specific to that company. This mostly focuses on the health and safety rules and procedures in the company and on this location itself. It also explains how employees are expected to report hazards and to whom!
The Video
I now leave you with this video which you may use for your own organization. Download it and show it to your workers as it is away from using difficult languages and difficult terminology. It is simply a conversation with the brain and an example of how to spot an unsafe act or unsafe condition
