be aware of your surroundings safety talk
Keep your head on a swivel looking for potential hazards. Don't open your purse or wallet while boarding the bushave your pass or money already in your hand. Play the what if game. However, we do know this man is acting like a mugger. ASSESS - The effects that the hazards will have upon you, the people you work with, equipment, procedures, pressures and the environment around you. This technique is done as followed: Inhale the breath. Stay flexible in your schedule, and don't say NO to unexpected adventures. Truckers should be constantly checking their mirrors to keep an eye on the traffic around them. Taking fifteen minutes to disconnect can help you to be more connected during the rest of the day with life offline. Often people are overwhelmed when you start talking about situational awareness and everything that goes along with it. Keep your workplace clear from clutter A lot of information is out there about you. The Keys to Defensive Driving (for Teens) - Nemours KidsHealth Take a quick glance in your mirrors. Keep all electronic devices in an inside jacket pocket. (In other words, be just a little paranoid.) Yes, that is difficult at first. PDF Be Aware of Your Surroundings -Safety Talk Back up. It's essential to understand situation awareness in the context of everyday life not just hostile environment awareness training (HEAT), travel safety and first aid training.Thinking proactively and understanding what to look out for can be . Eye-Opening Truck Driving Safety Tips That Will Save Lives - Smart Trucking Carry your wallet inside your coat, or in a front pocket. Would you go through it anyway? 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. Takeaway: Get into the habit of identifying the emergency exits at the stores you visit, hotels you are staying at and public buildings you enter. Offensive precautions, or those that allow you to more easily defend yourself, include keeping at least one hand free with your keys or self defense tool (not cellphone) in that hand. 6. Increase the distance between yourself and this person the amount of distance depends on the situation, but five or six feet can allow you some reaction time if they become an active threat. In a world where talent is expensive and scarce,. It is easy to get wrapped up in the task at hand and lose track of your surroundings. Scanning your surroundings (keeping your eyes moving) includes keeping a safe distance around your vehicle. Exits:Always be aware of your exits, and have an exit strategy. Everyone that drives a car knows that feeling of forgetting what youre doing after continuously driving a few hours. Panicking adds to the chaos and breeds knee-jerk reactions, causing people to abandon all protocol and enter a fight-or-flight mentality. Set the headlines of your day, but leave room in your daily schedule for spontaneity without taking hideous risks. The US Department of Homeland Security reminds us to be aware of our surroundings, if you see something, say something.Lawrence Tech is a private, accredited. Whether you're at home or at work, following an emergency plan will help you keep the situation in control as much as possible. For you to effectively engage in situational awareness, to make logical decisions, and look to the future with a strategic focus, the subconscious must be engaged and assessed. Your aggressor will be surprised at your response, take advantage of that. Go to the store on a different day. To avoid tailgating, use the three-second rule: when the vehicle ahead of you passes a certain point such as a sign, count one-thousand-one, one-thousand-two, one-thousand-three. Counting these numbers takes approximately three seconds. The load should be carefully checked to ensure it's suitable, undamaged and stable for the forklift - avoid lifting anything that isn't safe . 5. %PDF-1.5 % Notice other people their body language, eye contact, posture, stride. Understanding Your Surroundings While Driving - DrivingTips.com An enhanced sense of your surroundings allows for better preparation should a crisis event unfold. Use things like doors, walls, file cabinets as protection from being hit by moving objects around you (e.g. However, when was the last time there was a drill to ensure every person in the establishment knows what to do? Discuss what actions are needed with your customer or supervisor to make the situation safe. And again, remind them about instincts: If they don't have a good feeling about a certain person, they should approach . Operators should yield the right of way to pedestrians: This is an OSHA recommendation that all forklift drivers should be aware of. When traveling at night always book a taxi or get a lift with someone you trust. Constantly staring at the road just in front of your vehicle is dangerous. When you know your surroundings, you can take better notice of the things that are out of the ordinary. In this guide, well cover some tips and tricks for being aware of your surroundings while driving. Keep your car doors locked and windows closed while in or out of your car . 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. When people are in an area where there is potential danger (which, in reality, is almost anywhere), they should go through most of the day in a state of relaxed awareness. 9,905,117. The primary element in establishing this mindset is first to recognize that a threat or hazard exists. hb```f``R``b`ag@ ~081g I +&& , @;PM R;4Hl_Ww`g6aKXN1YH3q20% rD- This is to be prepared and know how to respond if you are confronted. Being crowded by a tailgater. Carrying a self defense weapon turns you from a passive observer to an observer that has the tools to fight back. It can happen with any repetitive task. Don't allow loud distractions to stop you from keeping your eyes on your surroundings, rather than one direction. 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. 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. Contrary to popular belief, situational awareness is a skill you can learn with enough practice. U.S. Pat. U.S. Pat. To ensure drivers are aware of their surroundings, they should be free from distractions, follow the speed limit, and keep their eyes on the road at all times. Safety Awareness Construction Center of Excellence Peripheral Vision: Attempt to focus on something while also observing whats happening at the edges of your vision. PDF Be Aware of your Surroundings - The Raymond Group Report all unsafe conditions and near-miss incidents to your supervisor. If you want to stop searching for safety meetings, improve incident rates to lower insurance premiums, or even help crews and managers understand the importance of safety and reduce the number of safety violations, then you need SafetyTek Toolbox Talks. These vehicles must stop at railroad crossings; so, slow down early and allow plenty of room. Do you know if your school, university, workplace, or place of worship has a response plan and training program for active intruder incidents or other emergencies? How SchoolGuard Panic Button Helps Protect 6500 Students, Guard911 & Lt. Col. Grossman on Stopping Killers. 16 safety tips from those who work behind the wall - Corrections1 5 Tips for Being More Aware of Your Surroundings | TBOTECH Relaxed awareness is not tiring, and it allows you to enjoy life while rewarding you with an effective level of personal safety. Be aware of locations and situations which would make you appear vulnerable to crime, such as alleys and dark parking lots. Emergencies and mass shootings happen all the time. Check out the new logo that I created on LogoMakr.com https://logomakr.com/8SX1NH. In the city, 1015 seconds is about one block. If people inside the temple would have had access to Guard911 technology, which includes the Hero911 officer network, they couldve alerted each other faster and we would have had more officers on the scene sooner., Immediate notification time is a must mere seconds make a world of difference when it comes to saving lives. Safety Talks | The University of Chicago Environmental Health and Safety [emailprotected] (618) 973-9174, The number of workplace shootings is increasing at an alarming[], Missouri School District Heightens School Emergency Response & Communication Are[], In regard to stopping killers in these uncertain times, before[]. Do not develop a fixed stare. Keep scanning. Everything you need is already primed and ready for delivery. In this post, Ill discuss a number of techniques and tips that can help you learn how to increase awareness of your surroundings. Do you think these people are likely to notice the pre-attack cues of a potentially dangerous situation? First, they should try to find a person in uniform, like a police officer, security guard, or store employee. Getting situational awareness right early on is important when you are working on a construction job site. Reclaim your calendar, quit searching for your next safety meeting. Situational awareness is not only important for recognizing an existing or potential hazard, but it also serves to identify unsafe behavior, equipment and tools. 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. Scan: Most people automatically scan new situations or environments, but dont always focus on the most useful information. Tap your brakes lightly a few times to warn the tailgater you are slowing down. If you have done this, then youve experienced being tuned out. Stay safe this spring break by following safety tips from the Institutional Access and Compliance Office. 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. Safety and Situational Awareness: Staying Present and Focused Be Aware of Your Surroundings. But, the points that I took away from the training session were that you can protect yourself. 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. I know this sounds extremely difficult, but I can assure you that it is not as hard as you think. You should aim to avoid falling into this auto-pilot mode while going about your daily life. Becoming carefree on the job can be disastrous due in no small part to becoming complacent, as stated earlier. It is important that each individual is looking out for his or her own safety as well as looking out for their workmates. Apathy, denial and complacency can be deadly. Everywhere you go, people have their heads down while looking at their phones, which means they cant be looking up to notice whats going on around them. What if that truck doesnt stop at its red light, do you have time to stop, someplace to go? We both know they arent going to notice a potentially dangerous situation. View each new setting as an opportunity to practice when these tips become second-nature, you greatly increase your ability to keep yourself safe. PDF Situational Awareness and Personal Safety: Knowing Your Surroundings Keep work areas clean and orderly. Facebook can wait. Situational awareness is a great tool to use to prevent injuries and after all, you are the best resource to prevent injuries from happening. Do not take out a wallet on the street, if asked for money. Since this is learned behavior, anyone can improve their situational awareness. Consider, whether you need to tell someone or react. If you feel vulnerable dont be afraid to ask for assistance. Following large vehicles that block your view ahead. 5. Welders should always be aware of their surroundings before starting a weld. 10,433,143. This does not mean to be provocative and ask for a confrontation. This principle can also be applied to travel routes, and being conscious of obstacles, choke points, alternate routes, and so on. 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. The first level, tuned out, is similar to when you are driving and are engrossed in thought and arrived somewhere in your vehicle without even thinking about driving there. You probably already do this, it is called defensive driving. Many hazards are obvious to those who open their eyes and minds to see them. Toolbox Talk | Situational Awareness Be sure to always wear a breathing mask if your space has debris or dust, or if you have to deal with toxic or dangerous chemicals or fumes. If you are driving a car, then your main focus should be on the road, but the fact of the matter is. Practice this in public places, such as seating in restaurants, waiting rooms, or shopping centers. Speak Up: Report all the following situations immediately to your supervisor (while at work) or to the person in charge (when out in public): accidents, injuries, close calls, near misses, safety hazards or concerns, and any suspicious persons, activity, or behavior. How Can I Teach Kids to Be Smart About Strangers? Second, if anything does happen, you'll know where you can run for help. However, being aware of your surroundings could save you from ever even having to use the weapon. When beginning work on a new project/contract/customer location. If something is in your path, you need to see it in time to stop. The best course of action would be to err on the side of caution and avoid directly passing in front of the man. Many drivers follow too closely (tailgate) and are not able to see as far ahead as they should because the vehicle ahead blocks their view. 4. When you know your surroundings, you can take better notice of the things that are out of the ordinary. ), and on gravel. Suspicious People: This is an obvious one. 7 Ways of Practicing Everyday Situational Awareness | ATR After working with you to understand your specific needs, we evaluate potential solutions to determine which best meets your operational and financial requirements. 2. Attend a demo, get a free Raken Carhartt beanie. Do not stay in another drivers blind spot. Be alert of your surroundings at all time - Teens can be especially guilty of being oblivious to their surroundings. Watch for things about to happen, like a ball rolling into the street or a vehicle door opening. This can cause injury to personnel and damage to the equipment and materials. Electronic Distractions: Whether its staring down at your phone or listening to music, using electronic devices can seriously impair your ability to be aware of what is going on around you. 38 views, 1 likes, 0 loves, 0 comments, 2 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from DynamiQ Safety&Health Ltd: Accidents don't come with a warning . Stopping work to make adjustments- Sometimes things do not go as you planned and thought they would. To do so, intentionally and persistently practice the following: Be aware of your surroundings. Beware electronic distractions. Prioritizing the critical nature of active shooter training and drills is part of that preparation. 9 Tips to Improve Situational Awareness in the Workplace - Border States Preparing properly for them and taking safety seriously are essential actions to save lives and mitigate damage. 73 0 obj <>stream When people are in an area where there is potential danger (which, in reality, is almost anywhere), they should go through most of the day in a state of relaxed awareness. The response plan feature, one of the most overlooked of the Guard911, SchoolGuard, and CampusGaurd911 mobile apps, is a dedicated space to upload customized response plans. You can hit your brakes and keep your car under control. What Pocket Knife does MacGyver Use to be Prepared For Everything? If other children are nearby, make sure you can see them before backing up. Environmental Health and Safety provides services and support for efficient, effective, and compliant work practices, while promoting a culture of shared responsibility by students, faculty, staff and visitors for a healthy, safe, and environmentally soun Are you aware of your surroundings? - YouTube Remember that we all want to go home safely the way we came to work safely. Be alert to your surroundings and the people around youespecially if you are alone or it is dark. Smelling smoke, chemicals, or gas might tell you that there is a dangerous situation. Its also affordable, extremely easy to use, and proven to save lives. You can, and should, carry all the tools and weapons you need. Los Angeles, CA 90095-1364, Phone: (310) 825-1491 Our situational awareness is only as accurate as our own perception or reading of the situation, so what we think is happening may not accurately reflect reality. Situational Awareness: A Key to Your Safety | HuffPost Women The best way to be safe is to know your surroundings and pay attention to everything and everyone around you. 13 ways to enhance your personal safety via situational awareness The 7 rules of virtual meeting etiquette every - GoTo.com Blog To avoid last minute moves, scan the road 1015 seconds ahead of your vehicle so you can see hazards early. Be Aware of Your Surroundings - Main View | National Safety Month Allow other coworkers to give you ideas of what could and could not work in situations. 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. Situational awareness is being aware of what is happening around you in terms of where you are, where you are supposed to be, and whether anyone or anything around you is a threat to your health and safety. Dont fear, there is still hope. Forklift Pedestrian Safety Tips. 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 If you get the sense that something is wrong or doesnt add up, do not ignore it. It is this panic induced paralysis that concerns us most in relation to situational awareness. Do not be afraid to let your wishes be . Be aware of who you are in the electronic world. Use proper fall protection equipment and 100% tie-off when working in elevated positions. Avoid hauling weight that exceeds the counterweight of the forklift. Make sure you communicate until everyone involved understands what is going on. "As for parents of young children, it is impossible to be with your . Situational Awareness: Teaching Employees to Stay Alert on the Job You talk with others about safety. Consider the building occupants when scheduling your work: you may need to schedule work when there are fewer people in the building/area; Put up barriers and signage to alert building occupants to avoid hazards and stay clear of the immediate work area; Report hazards to Facilities and/or Environmental Health and Safety Respond to medical emergencies properly. The police need the eyes and ears of all citizens. Quotes about Awareness of Surroundings 19 Picture Quotes 5 Written Quotes We are gifted with freedom, but with that freedom comes the reality of the unknown and the responsibility to be aware of our surroundings and on guard against those who would do us harm. This space cushion will give you room to brake or maneuver if you need the space. Turn and look over your right and left shoulders before you begin backing. Question everything! By remaining close to the people you trust and know well, you'll reduce the risk of being targeted by people who are up to no good and could be out to take advantage. You can pick up lots of information up just from listening. 6. 7 top tips for a safe night out | Crimestoppers Never leave your purse or wallet in plain view or in common accessible areas. What to Look For when Buying a Stun Gun [2020 Buying Guide], How Martial Arts can improve discipline in Children and Adults. Backing up is always dangerous because it is hard to see behind your vehicle. Vigilance is not paranoia, its just understanding and being able to process whats going on around you its a skill and a habit that takes practice something that shouldnt be ignored. Lt. Murphy. situational awareness for self-defense purposes. That feeling doesnt only happen while driving. Practice looking for exits, barriers, suspicious objects and people, and any other unique elements that could be of importance to your personal safety. Keep doing this until you start doing it without meaning to. Situational awareness, in layman's terms, is your ability to process your surroundings and notice any changes in those surroundings. However, after enough practice it becomes second nature. How to increase awareness of your surroundings. In other terms, this could mean simply instructing workers on the safest way to do things or telling your supervisor about health and safety hazards you see on a job site. At least half of the crimes in the Unites States go unreported, either because people don't think the police can do anything about it, or because people don't want to get involved. 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. Griffith D, and FL Greitzer. Paying Attention to Your Surroundings | Secret Entourage Keep It All Clean. 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. On the freeway, be ready for changes in traffic conditions. In this toolbox talk, learn about situational awareness and how being aware of your surroundings can be an important safety precaution to preventing accidents on the construction site. 5 Tips to Stay Safe While Welding. As a safety measure, also look over your right and left shoulders again while backing. Be aware of who you are in the electronic world. 10 tips for solo women travelers - aircairo.com Make the balance, take it easy, and don't schedule every minute of every day. Learn how your comment data is processed. 49 0 obj <> endobj 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. Situational awareness is only as good as your perception. Some examples practicing situational awareness are: You must have situational awareness when working in a fast-paced work environment such as the construction industry. Technology draws us in and makes it harder to observe the vital things around us. It requires you to stay alert and draw upon your unique set of experiences and skills to evaluate your environment. Be Aware of Your Surroundings - Safety Talk October 2012 There have been a string of injuries, over the past two months, in Facilities Services associated with employees working in unfamiliar locations. Even keeping your sense of smell fully available can help in a dangerous, but not necessarily defensive, situation. Ask questions about certain job scenarios and even role play if it helps you get a better understanding of what you need to do. Even practicing one of these skills on a regular basis can exponentially increase your situational awareness. Ensure warning signage is posted where . 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. This means that everyone's situational awareness is individual and potentially different. Let us take the example of you repeatedly hitting the snooze button and look at it as a bad habit you want to break. This does not just apply to buildings, but can be practiced in cars, public transportation, elevators, and even in outdoor environments. Often there is so much 'going on' in your work environment, or you become so absorbed in your own thoughts, that you fail to spot those things that could pose a serious threat to your health and safety. Situational awareness is the ability to identify, process, and understand what is happening around you, while thinking ahead to prevent or mitigate potential safety incidents. hWmo9+YHF]th%@ PV{0`pp8b(/HZQ`4p%&h^ `N'dHT^9-|Qug>>I)%A86pF~ yJME!7Rin>AxY1 A second important element of the proper mindset is understanding the need to take responsibility for ones own safety. Look over your shoulder to make sure you are not getting in the way of vehicles in the lane you want to enter. This is how your strengths and opportunities for improvement can be identified. In these active shooter situations, theres no room for complacency. I did not write this with the intent of making you afraid of everything and discouraging you from leaving your house. They were just trained on Friday, and I was there running the drill with them on Monday.. 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. Remind your teens about the dangers of texting and how concentrating on driving not only keeps them safer but other people on the road as well. Check your mirrors often. If you work alone or after business hours, keep the office door locked. Don't stop to aid motorists by the side of the road. Never Carry Extra People. It has been said, your gut feeling is not just a guess, your gut feeling is your body reacting based upon knowledge or experience before your mind can fully process the information it is receiving. Keeping all your senses on full alert is a good start to increasing your awareness. Correct Potential Hazards. When your range of vision is limited, get creative about ways to expand it and give yourself an advantage practice utilizing store windows, car windshields, or even other peoples sunglasses to detect threats you wouldnt be able to see otherwise. How Situationally Aware People Create a Resilient Organization Ask yourself if you have the proper tools, training and PPE to perform the task safely. Always be aware of your surroundings #WorkSafe #SafetyFirst. Only use devices in areas or situations where it's safe to do so and remember to look up regularly to scan surroundings. 10 Safety Tips to Teach Your Teenager The Better Mom Check the blind spots. Be aware of your surroundings and watch for small mistakes. Becoming Aware | Psychology Today Take safety and emergency drills seriously. Below are some tips that can improve your situational awareness. If you are being tailgated, be careful! This ability is relevant in a wide variety of circumstances. How is workplace safety evolving in 2022 and beyond? 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.