Safety

Protect Yourself from Unsafe Acts

Aug. 3, 2021

Tips to protect yourself

Many people believe unsafe conditions are the primary threat to worker safety. While these must be dealt with, OSHA’s incident data show unsafe acts are the primary threat to worker safety.

You have direct control over your unsafe acts:

Think before doing. Is the way you intend to do this safe? How do you know that?
Be alert while dong. Are you engaging in needless risk?
Think after doing. Could you have performed that task more safely?

You also have some control over the unsafe acts of others. For example:

You’re on a ladder and Fred climbs it to hand you a tool. Tell Fred to get off the ladder.
You just locked out a breaker and Jason hangs his tag on your lock. Remove Jason’s tag, put your lock on a hasp, and explain LOTO procedure to Jason.
While you are taking voltage measurements, a product supervisor starts talking to you. Stop work, explain that you are exposed to energized circuits; resume work only after the supervisor stops distracting you.

About the Author

Mark Lamendola

Mark is an expert in maintenance management, having racked up an impressive track record during his time working in the field. He also has extensive knowledge of, and practical expertise with, the National Electrical Code (NEC). Through his consulting business, he provides articles and training materials on electrical topics, specializing in making difficult subjects easy to understand and focusing on the practical aspects of electrical work.

Prior to starting his own business, Mark served as the Technical Editor on EC&M for six years, worked three years in nuclear maintenance, six years as a contract project engineer/project manager, three years as a systems engineer, and three years in plant maintenance management.

Mark earned an AAS degree from Rock Valley College, a BSEET from Columbia Pacific University, and an MBA from Lake Erie College. He’s also completed several related certifications over the years and even was formerly licensed as a Master Electrician. He is a Senior Member of the IEEE and past Chairman of the Kansas City Chapters of both the IEEE and the IEEE Computer Society. Mark also served as the program director for, a board member of, and webmaster of, the Midwest Chapter of the 7x24 Exchange. He has also held memberships with the following organizations: NETA, NFPA, International Association of Webmasters, and Institute of Certified Professional Managers.