Everyone’s lives seem to be very busy in this fast paced world. We rush to get to work and then rush home. We urge all workers to take one or two minutes at the beginning of each shift to talk about safety. Such talks can have several safety and operational benefits. The talks will prompt everyone to stop thinking about and/or worrying about non-work issues and help focus everyone on the job at hand for the day. It’s only one or two minutes out of the average 480 minute workday and it can pay huge dividends. You may ask what we could talk about everyday for a minute or two.  Here are just a few examples:

• Heavy rains last night have caused the roadways to become a little slippery, so slow down. There are a few puddles that you should be watching out for and all  workers should pay special attention to traffic.
• We will be working on the conveyor during lunch. It will be shutdown, locked and tagged. When it stops don’t be alarmed and don’t try to re-start it.
• We have drilling and blasting contractor crews on site today. Watch out for them.
• Hunting season starts on Saturday and most of you are anxious, but let’s stay focused on our jobs today.
• We’ve gone another 100 days without an accident or injury. Keep up the good work.
• We have a new customer coming to pick-up material. Please watch out for someone that may be looking for the load-out area. They are not familiar with our facility, so be extra careful today!
• Does anyone have any safety or health suggestions?

These are just a few examples. The point is to get everyone together and help focus everyone on the job at hand and on how to do it safely. We ask you to make this a daily habit. Try it for a couple of weeks and then decide if it is a habit you want to keep. Also, please let us know how it is working and send us any “safety first” topics that you have used and would like to share. We plan to compile a list, post them on our webpage, and send them to mine operators on a regular basis.

Focus on Safety as a Value Everyday