The business of protecting people in the work environment is difficult, largely because despite the fact that rational people understand that it is the right thing to do, they prefer not to. Unfortunately, vigilance is quite possibly the hardest skill for the human spirit, we become complacent far too easily. For this reason it all the more important for workers to wear safety vests.
Part of the problem is that businesses typically establish separate departments to handle, promulgate and enforce protective measures. Because people do not like to be controlled in any fashion, workers typically deign almost any additional effort unnecessary, especially considering their experience and skill. The result is the labor force actively rejects most protective procedures and equipment developed for their benefit.
A difficult part of the human psyche is the notion that of near indestructibility, given the powers of recuperation and the intelligence to avoid problems before they happen. The result is a desire to engage in risky events for the purpose of intentionally exposing ourselves to risk for the sake of the resulting thrill. It explains the draw to sensational and potentially dangerous amusement park rides.
In addition, people have come to expect thrilling or dangerous situations to be a part of their entertainment experiences. It is the reason that the more dangerous a ride sounds, the more popular it becomes, and marketing agencies are fully engaged in promoting such excitement. Sound bites exuding the speed, height and gravity defying characteristics of a new ride spell dollars to any theme park.
A complication for risk mitigating professionals is the natural human response that makes things which are thrilling stimulate the same response as things which endanger people. Because most people go through their lives experiencing injuries of mostly a minor sort and successfully recovering, dangerous situations seem less problematic. With all the engineering in modern society, people have the sense that they are protected regardless of their actions.
There is also the problem of ego. From the beginning of the hormonal tidal wave of their teen years, males have an innate need to place themselves in dangerous situations to prove they are macho. Whether to impress the opposite sex or to bond with fellow males, being known as a rational, safe individual is not a title to which many aspire.
With this as a backdrop to the population from which the labor pool is derived and it becomes obvious that there are difficulties in imposing risk management on workers. Even without people actively trying to avoid doing the things that makes sense to create a safer workplace, identifying all the risks and managing them is a challenge. Seat belts in cars, construction hats and better football pads are a few successes.
In reality, nearly every piece of protective equipment has faced a steep uphill climb for acceptance, almost all are universally eschewed when introduced. The challenge is to devise equipment that is not burdensome and does not make the user appear somehow cowardly. It is a shame that when something as simple as a safety vest can save lives, it is so difficult to get workers to wear them consistently.
Part of the problem is that businesses typically establish separate departments to handle, promulgate and enforce protective measures. Because people do not like to be controlled in any fashion, workers typically deign almost any additional effort unnecessary, especially considering their experience and skill. The result is the labor force actively rejects most protective procedures and equipment developed for their benefit.
A difficult part of the human psyche is the notion that of near indestructibility, given the powers of recuperation and the intelligence to avoid problems before they happen. The result is a desire to engage in risky events for the purpose of intentionally exposing ourselves to risk for the sake of the resulting thrill. It explains the draw to sensational and potentially dangerous amusement park rides.
In addition, people have come to expect thrilling or dangerous situations to be a part of their entertainment experiences. It is the reason that the more dangerous a ride sounds, the more popular it becomes, and marketing agencies are fully engaged in promoting such excitement. Sound bites exuding the speed, height and gravity defying characteristics of a new ride spell dollars to any theme park.
A complication for risk mitigating professionals is the natural human response that makes things which are thrilling stimulate the same response as things which endanger people. Because most people go through their lives experiencing injuries of mostly a minor sort and successfully recovering, dangerous situations seem less problematic. With all the engineering in modern society, people have the sense that they are protected regardless of their actions.
There is also the problem of ego. From the beginning of the hormonal tidal wave of their teen years, males have an innate need to place themselves in dangerous situations to prove they are macho. Whether to impress the opposite sex or to bond with fellow males, being known as a rational, safe individual is not a title to which many aspire.
With this as a backdrop to the population from which the labor pool is derived and it becomes obvious that there are difficulties in imposing risk management on workers. Even without people actively trying to avoid doing the things that makes sense to create a safer workplace, identifying all the risks and managing them is a challenge. Seat belts in cars, construction hats and better football pads are a few successes.
In reality, nearly every piece of protective equipment has faced a steep uphill climb for acceptance, almost all are universally eschewed when introduced. The challenge is to devise equipment that is not burdensome and does not make the user appear somehow cowardly. It is a shame that when something as simple as a safety vest can save lives, it is so difficult to get workers to wear them consistently.
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