be aware of your surroundings safety talk

Don't presume changes in your surroundings are innocent or fine. An effective strategy requires that everyone be on board and the best way to achieve this is to be able to communicate with each other. Smelling smoke, chemicals, or gas might tell you that there is a dangerous situation. Reading body language is a huge factor in training your perception of your surroundings. Play the what if game. If someone is suspicious take action to notify others and remove yourself from his or her direct path. We will discuss the habit by looking at Duhigg's habit loop. This does not just apply to buildings, but can be practiced in cars, public transportation, elevators, and even in outdoor environments. Protect your Back: Utilize walls and other barriers to protect your back and sides and maximize your field of vision, taking care not to back yourself into a corner. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Because of the size and power of the forklift, operators should stop and wait for pedestrians to clear the area before proceeding along their route with caution. Scan: Most people automatically scan new situations or environments, but dont always focus on the most useful information. 10,433,143. 49 0 obj <> endobj Wonder could this happen here to me to my family? 2. Preparing properly for them and taking safety seriously are essential actions to save lives and mitigate damage. When another driver makes a mistake, you need time to react. Make sure if your employer provides training on situational awareness that you attend because you can always improve yourself. Pay attention to your surroundings, minimize the amount of time you talk on your cell phone in public places. As an example, imagine walking down the street and you observe a shifty man with his hands in his pockets hiding in a dark alleyway as he watches you walk toward him. What would you do? Safety beings with awareness. Always leave plenty of room between your vehicle and any motorcyclists or bicyclists. How we read a situation can be influenced by many things such as the type of information we have been given, our own experience and distractions in the workplace. Do you think these people are likely to notice the pre-attack cues of a potentially dangerous situation? These are all useful questions to start the conversation around training drills. Where and when should situational awareness techniques be used? Forklift Pedestrian Safety Tips. Always look to each side of your vehicle at intersections, crosswalks, and railroad crossings. Assessment of your working environment should occur continually, but especially in the following situations: Why is situational awareness important to us? Do not rely on traffic signals. Finally, if a crime does occurREPORT IT! Make safety a revenue generating part of your company through increased productivity and save thousands of dollars avoiding expensive injuries, lawsuits, and claims. I was going into a store. #1 Be Aware of Your Surroundings Every job site has inherent dangers whether that's heavy machinery, conveyor belts, or even tripping over items in the office. Emergencies and mass shootings happen all the time. This technique is done as followed: Inhale the breath. What if this was happening to the person in the car next to you? Be alert to pickpocketers on crowded buses; check your purse or wallet if someone is jostling, crowding or pushing you. Also keep a close eye on the trailer. Question everything! Understand and manage fleet and asset maintenance data and costs with iTRACK. If you pass the same point before you finish counting, you are following too closely. Change lanes. Sitting with your back to the wall is a good quick tip. Some drivers do not obey traffic signals so before you enter an intersection, look left, right, and ahead for approaching traffic. Situational awareness is not only important for recognizing an existing or potential hazard, but it also serves to identify unsafe behavior, equipment and tools. In the training, we saw a video of a man who starts whacking a car that is sitting at a stop light with a large metal pipe. When traveling at night always book a taxi or get a lift with someone you trust. Situational awareness: Understanding the current environment and being able to accurately anticipate future problems to enable effective actions.1 Why is this important? High alert can be scary, but at this level you are still able to function. Also be aware: "Familiarity breeds contempt" 1. Taking fifteen minutes to disconnect can help you to be more connected during the rest of the day with life offline. Are there other factors that can impact the situation? You can observe all the attack cues in the world and still could face an attack. It is important if you have a management role or even the role of a team leader that you practice situational awareness. Continually check them for hazards. To learn more about the family of Guard911 apps with the only Hero911 officer network of 65,000+ nationwide law enforcement officers, contact our helpful team today for your no-obligation conversation. Go to the store on a different day. LOOK - At your work area and find the hazards that are present to you and your workmates. Situational awareness is a critical foundation for successful decision making in most situations that you can be put in at work. Here are some ways you can increase your awareness and have a higher level of security while shopping or dining out. The first part of the process is the cue or trigger, the second is the routine or behavior itself, and the third is the reward. I dont literally mean keeping your eyes wide open, but always keeping a good field of view. A new year is often a time of taking stock: re-evaluating ones accomplishments, goals, and personal habits both the good, and the bad. Take in the whole scene If you only look at the middle of the road, you will miss what is happening on the side of the road and behind you. Because of the way forklifts work, overloading can cause the rear wheels to rise off the ground and can make the whole machine fall over. Any person wishing to rely on the information present on this site should consult with competent legal counsel before doing so. If something is in your path, you need to see it in time to stop. Maybe he isnt so innocent. When walking, keep to commonly traveled routes. Jamey Noel. Regularly exercising your senses can make them keener, which can help you avoid unsafe situations, determine threats faster, and pick up on critical information more quickly during emergencies. The more space you allow between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead, the more time you will have to see a hazard, and stop or avoid that hazard. new year! Being safe is a prerequisite for many to return to, or remain in, their job, and they regard this as their employer's non-negotiable obligation. Take safety and emergency drills seriously. Consider, whether you need to tell someone or react. Ask questions about certain job scenarios and even role play if it helps you get a better understanding of what you need to do. Of course they wont. So, the question becomes, what can we do to be safer? Facebook can wait. If you carry a purse, carry it securely between your arm and your body. Not sure? 3. In this toolbox talk, you can cover ways to develop better safety awareness and how to practice observation skills on the job. But how many people truly know what it means to be aware of your surroundings? Do not develop a fixed stare. Keep scanning. Watch yourself when you would be most vulnerable down the hall to the bathroom which is tucked way back in the corner or in the parking lot when no one else is around. It is easy to get wrapped up in the task at hand and lose track of your surroundings. When you think the work environment has changed since your last time there. Notice other people their body language, eye contact, posture, stride. Precautions generally fall into defensive precautions and offensive precautions. Safety is a way of life and should be thought about so often that it becomes second nature. Defensive precautions includes avoiding walking alone at night, not letting people follow you, and avoiding any form of intoxication from drugs or alcohol while in public. All these activities might help prevent an attack. Have your car keys in your hand so you don't have to linger before entering your car. The extra space allows you to see around the vehicle. Dont make yourself vulnerable. Instead of looking over your shoulder, place your back against a surface if possible to remove the possibility of someone getting behind you or in your blind spot. It can also mean that you ask for help when you know that you need it. 5. Ignoring warning signs or not being aware of what could lead to accidents can cause massive issues, as was the case when a crane collapsed in Texas, leaving four dead. Moak says this is a great practice and encourages everyone to be aware of their surroundings when leaving a mall or grocery store. Use things like doors, walls, file cabinets as protection from being hit by moving objects around you (e.g. Situational awareness is a critical foundation for successful decision making in most situations that you can be put in at work. Griffith D, and FL Greitzer. -Be aware of your surroundings -Keep your cell-phone charged and with you at all times -Use good judgment on social media before publicly sharing information or a location. In this safety talk, we will go over what situational awareness is and ways you can improve on it in your daily lives including at work. OFFICE 4114 E BROADWAY AVE | SPOKANE, WA 99202, 1145 BROADWAY PLAZA, STE 1340 | TACOMA, WA 98402. Los Angeles, CA 90095-1364, Phone: (310) 825-1491 Have an exit plan. It is this panic induced paralysis that concerns us most in relation to situational awareness. You probably think you already do this, but being intentional about locating exits and doors, paying attention to the people around you, and practicing simple habits like looking over your shoulder in a parking lot before you get into your car should be part of your daily routine. Being able to communicate with others your perception of the risks is a vital part of the awareness strategy. Most active shooters are finished massacring people in five minutes or less. Lt. Murphy. A basic breathing practice that can be used throughout the day, especially during times of stress, is the Four Square Breathing Technique. Keep your car doors locked and windows closed while in or out of your car . Engage your workers with modern technology and content that they can easily consume. It is still a defensive, not offensive, tool in your arsenal. Situational awareness is often split into three elements: These three elements basically mean you not only need to understand what is going on around you, but also be able to communicate and act on situations that put you at risk. A driver may decide to exit suddenly or swerve back onto the freeway. Make sure they are away from your vehicle and in full view before moving your vehicle. Your brain goes into auto-pilot and you slowly stop consciously processing your surroundings. Also, do not be afraid to speak loudly to someone so that you can get the attention of others nearby. {4t6V6mf@Vf%qWEGIMRJ)Px#+m. Basic Safety Tips for Women: Speak Up. Reduce energy consumption, increase worker productivity and safety with our loading docks and commercial doors. There are a lot of blind spots, corners, turns, and on the equipment itself. My office recently participated in a safety training class. While wearing headphones, can you hear foot steps behind you? If you are doing this to make tasks safer for you and others and to get the task done more efficiently you are showing situational awareness. Correct Potential Hazards. You dont dare take your eyes off the road or let your attention wander. Remind them to be aware everywhere they are. Now, that may sound harsh, but to say that its not going to happen here is giving yourself permission to not be aware of whats around you.. Cooper CS4 Touring Review Is It Worth Buying? Recognizing hazards is an important part of keeping you and your co-workers safe . Staying safe goes hand-in-hand with being observant. This means avoiding the distractions mentioned earlier. 4. Trust your gut. Walk close to the curb. Watching your surrounding can reduce the risk of vehicle collisions, dropping objects, injuries from falling objects and many other accidents. Don't leave cash or valuables at the office. Should you have questions about how this pertains to your job talk to your supervisor or foreman. UCLA Crime Prevention UnitEmail: info@ucpd.ucla.eduPhone: (310) 825-6111Fax: (310) 206-2550Mail Code: 136408, Address601 Westwood PlazaLos Angeles, CA 90095-1364. Business HoursMonday Friday 8 a. m. to 5 p. m. Station Hours24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 601 Westwood Plaza iPods). To avoid last minute moves, scan the road 1015 seconds ahead of your vehicle so you can see hazards early. Make sure you understand all the policies and procedures before you start a new job. That perpetual image could include thinking to push your shopping cart into an attacker or using your stiletto heel to fend off an attack. Following these quick tips can improve your awareness. So put the phone down. When you know your surroundings, you can take better notice of the things that are out of the ordinary. Assess the emergency and where you are. I asked the clerk for someone to escort me out. ), and on gravel. Look up occasionally to re-scan your surroundings and make note of any changes. This ability is relevant in a wide variety of circumstances. Keep your belongings in front of you and hold close to your body with both hands. 2007. I recently had a personal experience here. Avoid all shortcuts and isolated areas. Do you know how to learn or improve this skill? Do not be afraid to speak to someone to ask them to not come closer if approaching you in a parking lot. If possible and when safe, make room for vehicles entering freeways even though you have the right-of-way. In this post, Ill discuss a number of techniques and tips that can help you learn how to increase awareness of your surroundings. Understanding Your Surroundings While Driving, refer to the Basic Speed Law in the Speed Limits section. If youre using headphones, consider using only one, or keeping the volume as low as possible in order to still be able to hear what is going on around you. Every single day for the past 30 years, at least three workers don't make it home and thousands more experience a serious injury. For our purposes we'll focus on situational awareness for self-defense purposes as it is a very important self-defense skill. Stop and Pretend: If you feel like you are being followed, either on foot or in a vehicle, stop and turn around, pretending as if you went the wrong way. Any time you come to a place where people may cross or enter your path or one line of traffic meets another, you should look to the left and right sides of your vehicle to make sure no one is coming. Thats the most important question in self defense, in my opinion. Scanning your surroundings (keeping your eyes moving) includes keeping a safe distance around your vehicle. Before changing lanes, look into your rear view mirror for nearby vehicles and also over your shoulder to check for blind spots. Situational awareness is only as good as your perception. We teach participants a saying, locks, lights, out of sight as a way for people to remember to lock the doors, turn off the lights, and hide if an active shooter were in their school, said Lt. Murphy. If the answer is no, offer to help create one or start a campaign to get a safety response plan in place with the help of your local law enforcement as soon as possible. ASSESS - The effects that the hazards will have upon you, the people you work with, equipment, procedures, pressures and the environment around you. Anonymous Reporting Line: (310) 794-5824, 2023 Regents of the University of California, Domestic Violence: Obtaining a Restraining Order, Reporting a Sexual Assault or Domestic Violence, Timely Warnings and Emergency Notifications. Visualize: Play out scenarios in your head beforehand. So tell the police as much as you can; no fact is too trivial. 2. International Journal of Cognitive Informatics and Natural Intelligence, The newsletter of the ISBAs Standing Committee on Government Lawyers. Do not use or wear anything that will impede your vision or hearing (i.e. It requires you to stay alert and draw upon your unique set of experiences and skills to evaluate your environment. TikTok video from tarryncarla (@tarryncarla): "Keep safe and be aware of your surroundings at all times. #safety #southafricatiktok #crimeprevention #bevigilantatalltimes #fyp #femalesafety". What if that truck doesnt stop at its red light, do you have time to stop, someplace to go? Meditate for 15 Minutes a Day. About Some examples practicing situational awareness are: You must have situational awareness when working in a fast-paced work environment such as the construction industry. Pay close attention during job training sessions. The best course of action would be to err on the side of caution and avoid directly passing in front of the man. One of the best ways to become more aware of your surroundings is to practice identifying the objects around you. With that in mind, the full extent of potentially dangerous body language is beyond the scope of this article. You see a bus, school bus, or a placarded vehicle at railroad crossings. Check out the new logo that I created on LogoMakr.com https://logomakr.com/8SX1NH. If this does not work, pull off the road when it is safe and let the tailgater pass. The other driver may not see your vehicle and could change lanes and hit you. Be alert to your surroundings and the people around youespecially if you are alone or it is dark. Tell your customer, supervisor, and workmates. If your team sees you doing it then they are likely to follow. Failure to observe your surroundings before welding can drastically increase the risk of fire . Cars, motorcycles, bicyclists, and people that may be in the road by the time you reach them. While situational awareness may not seem like a big deal to you it can help you on a job site. This doesnt mean you should be paranoid or stop enjoying your time out in public or at work, its simply about practicing and mastering situational awareness a skill that could save your life or someone elses. Frequent practice is vital, as no two situations are the same, and every environment provides unique conditions that will challenge your adaptability. We use our situational awareness to make decisions at home and at work. We use cookies to manage and improve your website experience. Situational awareness is a great tool to use to prevent injuries and after all, you are the best resource to prevent injuries from happening. Towing a trailer or carrying a heavy load. Peripheral Vision: Attempt to focus on something while also observing whats happening at the edges of your vision. Since this is learned behavior, anyone can improve their situational awareness. Only use your devices after youve determined you are in an area or situation where it is safe to do so. Always lock your car doors after entering or leaving your vehicle. In the 21st century your biggest distraction is your smartphone. You should learn to look at things with a 360-degree focus, not just from your view. If you are out shopping and you notice someone frequently and they appear to be overly observant of or interested in, or acting out of normal (remember, point 4), trust your gut. If someone bothers you or makes you feel uncomfortable, change seats. Lose the tailgater as soon as you can. The owner of this website, ZCS Ventures, LLC, is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking defensiveplanet.com reviews to Amazon properties including, but not limited to, amazon.com, endless.com, myhabit.com, smallparts.com, or amazonwireless.com. If you have any questions, problems, or comments about Login, please contact the University Service Desk at (404) 727-7777 or the Emory Healthcare Call Center at (404) 778-HELP. For example, your mind has created a script for driving to the grocery store. The fourth level of awareness is high alert. If you suspect you are being followed, go into an open store or a Public Safety Safe Haven and have the clerk call the Police or Public Safety right-away. That feeling doesnt only happen while driving. hWmo9+YHF]th%@ PV{0`pp8b(/HZQ`4p%&h^ `N'dHT^9-|Qug>>I)%A86pF~ yJME!7Rin>AxY1 Disconnecting from the cyber world will be most beneficial if you concentrate on being more present and meditating each . Personal Space: If someone is crowding you, seems suspicious, or is displaying threatening body language, scan them for subtle signs of violent intent or a hidden weapon. Look inside your vehicle before you get in, especially when it has been parked in a parking terminal or lot. During off hours, ride as near to the bus operator as possible. Situational awareness refers to being aware of what is happening around you, where you are in relation to other people and things, and what potential threats there may be. Do they talk with you and then everyone can see? Login. Avoiding complacency can help increase your perception of your surrounding. Even listening to music can be a distraction and a safety hazard. Keep work areas clean and orderly. Stopping work to make adjustments- Sometimes things do not go as you planned and thought they would. The recent news of the murder of the Texas District Attorney and his wife in their home makes everyones heart skip a beat and wonder. Follow these parking lot safety tips whenever you find yourself in a parking lot on foot.

Lawyer Jumps To Death Video, Articles B