You may not see or hear a danger, but it’s there. You have other senses — pay attention to what they are telling you.
An unusual smell could indicate the presence of a toxic chemical. Don’t take a wait-and-sniff approach because we tend to get used to smells quickly.
The tell-tale smell of something electric overheating or burning could indicate arcing. Don’t start opening covers looking for it, as that could start a fire or the condition may be an arc blast about to happen. Usually, you want to remove power to the area before investigating.
If you feel a sudden vibration, perhaps it is a:
- Heavy overhead object about to fall on you.
- Truck that could run over you.
- Machine about to fly apart.
- Deck plate, ladder, or scaffolding that has “shifted.”
- Piping system experiencing a dangerous pressure surge.
Even taste can come into play. Two electricians were talking and suddenly each scrunched up his face. They could taste something that was terribly bitter. It turned out to be an accidental chemical release into their area, and even though they didn’t smell anything unusual, their sense of taste alerted them that something was wrong.
Of course, we have all had a hunch or a feeling that something was amiss but had no way to explain it. This can happen because, for example, you see something in your peripheral vision such as a panel cover with half its screws missing, but you don’t consciously register it. Or something just “doesn’t feel right.” Don’t dismiss those feelings. Use your other senses methodically to find out why your “Spidey sense” is telling you.
