What a year! Without a doubt, 2009 was one for the books. It was the year that “Twitter” became part of our vocabulary. In "entertainment" news, we said farewell to Michael Jackson, learned more about Jon and Kate than we needed and ditto for Tiger Woods. And, of course, on the serious side of things, there was the new administration in the White House, the recession and H1N1.

Here at SafetyXChange, world events meant that, among other things, members needed a new way to approach their safety programs, they needed pandemic preparedness plans and they needed support.

And, true to form, you stepped up. In 2009, Glenn and I were inundated with submissions from several new contributors, and there was a marked increase in the number of members commenting on articles, sharing advice and offering kind words of encouragement. Thank you, everyone, for your time, your advice and your thoughtfulness.

Here’s a quick look at a dozen of the articles we published this year.

1. Injury prevention is, in part, about working efficiently. But how efficient is it to introduce tools and training to people who have a negative attitude about safety? To get everyone in your company “on board” with your injury prevention process, you need to take a look at 10 attitude influencers that may be sabotaging the success of your program. The Energized Approach to Achieving a Safe and Productive Workplace, Part 1Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3, by Michael Melnik

2. We teach our kids to look both ways when they cross the street, to sing “Happy Birthday” when they wash their hands and to buckle up when they ride in a vehicle. But if we truly want our children to have good safety habits, we need to teach them skills beyond the basics. Going Beyond the Home Safety Basics, ] by Carrie Lou Kirasic

3. To successfully manage the spread of virus, numerous controls must be considered and implemented. No single control method will be successful – with the exception perhaps of being a hermit. Protect Your Workers from Pandemic Flu with 3 Control Measures, by Mark Smith and Reggi Suga.

4. Preparing your workforce for H1N1 or the outbreak of any other pandemic is never a waste of time or energy. The crisis you anticipate might never come to pass. But when, sooner or later, your luck finally runs out, your preparation efforts are bound to avert suffering and might even save lives. Is This the Pandemic Your Mother Warned You About, by Pamela Ferrante.

5. Safety is a 24-hour, 7-day-a-week concern. And true safety professionals should set the example every day in every way – both on the job and off. Why Safety Professionals Should Take Their Work Home, by Ralph Sampsill.

6. Safety Geeks come in all shapes and sizes, but all have some common and often annoying traits. Wondering if you’re a Safety Geek? See if you recognize yourself in 25 Signs You Might be a Safety Geek, Part 1 and Part 2, by Alan D. Quilley.

7. Have you ever asked yourself, “How do I get my workers to wear their blasted PPE?” According to one survey, 87% of safety professionals have struggled with this problem. John Navroth offers some tricks that have worked for him. 8 Ways to Get Workers to Wear Their PPE, by John Navroth.

8. From time to time, workers may stray from the established procedures and take shortcuts. Unless there are negative consequences, the shortcuts get repeated until they eventually become the “norm.” This is a safety hazard you must stop. Here’s why and how. When Shortcuts Become the Norm, by John Wettstein.

9. According to statistical probability estimates, if all cyclists wore approved helmets, perhaps half the deaths and many head injuries could be prevented each year. ATV operators should take note of this. The Importance of Wearing a Helmet, by Tony Newport.

10. Injuries related to ergonomics are those caused by over-use, impact, vibration, repetition and forceful exertion. These injuries can be reduced by improvements in equipment and work practices. Here are some quick and easy work practices to help workers reduce their risk of ergonomic-related injuries. Two Dozen Tips to Reduce Ergonomic-Related Injuries, by Ken Oswald.

11. The “Broken Window Theory” is well known in the criminal justice world. Its basis is that the environment in which we live impacts our behavior. This theory also fits well with safety. Applying the “Broken Window Theory” to Safety, Applying the “Broken Window Theory” to Safety, by Michael Doucette.

12. In these tight budget times, you don’t need to downgrade your safety programs. But there are some things you can do in a less expensive way. A Penny Pincher’s Guide to Safety, by Gerald Edgar.

Conclusion

2009 was also the year that we held our first virtual Saxcies awards ceremony.

Sure, it’s been a tough year, but safety professionals are innovative and passionate people, and we hope you’ll document what you did to overcome this year’s challenges and submit your essay as a nomination for the 2010 Saxcies.

Story Tools:  Email This Post  Print This Post Top