WORKPLACE SAFETY

By Jeremy McCombs

Skipping one small step here and there may eventually lead to more serious dangers in the future . Complacency is a major hazard when employees cut corners and take shortcuts , whether it ’ s for the sake of comfort or to “ just get the job done .”

Complacency — a feeling of calm satisfaction with your abilities or situation that prevents you from trying harder — is often a focal point when discussing workplace safety ; but what does it mean ?

This idea of self-satisfaction is often experienced by veterans in our industries — folks who , perhaps , are highly experienced , yet complacent of hazards . They are not unaware of the risk , but are more likely to accept those risks without taking the proper time to address known hazards because they have been doing the work for so long .

It can be easy for industry veterans to become numb to specific hazards , due to feeling confident in their skills . Repetition becomes automatic and workers “ go through the motions ” to satisfy protocol or policies .

Complacency comes well equipped with consequences .

THE COSTS OF COMPLACENCY What are the results of complacency in the workplace ?

Lost work time . Preventable injuries , such as a rolled ankle from taking the shorter , risker walking path , could cost time off for healing .

Lost mobility or health . That heavy load you lifted by yourself will take a toll on your body in the long run . When you absolutely must perform a task by yourself , remember to always use proper lifting techniques .

Lost family time . Someone loves you — they do not deserve to suffer for your mistakes or complacency .

Lost production . The few moments you gain with a shortcut will eventually cost everyone in the long run .

Permanent disability . Laziness is a choice , not a disease or disability . Don ’ t chance spending the remainder of your life in a wheelchair or missing an extremity by being complacent .

Death . This is certainly the absolute worst-case scenario , but , unfortunately , too many families have experienced this reality . Somewhere , a family is celebrating a birthday , wedding , or graduation without a loved one . Don ’ t let it be your family .

CONQUERING COMPLACENCY To conquer complacency — whether it ’ s in the field , on the road , or in the office — we need to go back to the basics and look at the tasks we perform with repetition , daily . Chances are , we aren ’ t taking the same precautions as when we first learned the task . Think back to the first few times you did that specific task ; did you follow safety procedures more consistently ?

Other ways to combat complacency can be done by auditing yourself — or better yet — having a coworker audit your performance regularly . Having someone else provide feedback can paint a clear picture of where you might be taking chances , and set a path for improvement .

Look for instances where you allow yourself to cut corners , leaving yourself open to increased risk . Hold yourself and others around you accountable to do the right thing the right way every time .

Discuss with your teams what risks you are leaving yourselves exposed to , and hold each other accountable each time .

As leaders , make it your priority to keep your employees up to date on safety training and explain that complacency equals a false sense of security .

The National Safety Council ( NSC ) offers tips on how to engage

36 SportsField Management | July 2021 sportsfieldmanagementonline . com