We all have those seminal moments in our career that shape the way we think about safety or our approach to safety.
My first seminal moment came shortly after high school as a very young factory worker. It was also my introduction to safety. I learned that if the boss wears his PPE, I should wear mine. It came when my foreman tapped me on the shoulder and said in no uncertain terms “If I have to wear these things, you have to. Now put’em on!” He was referring to my safety glasses that didn’t fit and were more of a hindrance than a help.
No, he wasn’t wearing his eye protection because he wanted to set the right example. Nor did he ask me why I was not wearing my eye protection.
That seminal moment shaped my perception of safety as something I tolerated at best. Our experiences shape our opinions and my opinion of safety was decidedly negative. Unfortunately, that perception stayed with me for the next 10 years. What were the seminal moments in your work or safety career?
What were the seminal moments in your work or safety career?