Here's how you can apply logical reasoning to prevent workplace accidents and injuries.

Identificación de Riesgos: El primer paso es realizar una evaluación inicial de riesgos en todas las áreas de trabajo. Esto implica identificar y registrar los posibles peligros presentes, desde equipos defectuosos hasta procedimientos inseguros. Evaluación de Riesgos: Una vez identificados los riesgos, se deben evaluar en términos de su probabilidad de ocurrencia y la gravedad de las consecuencias si se materializan. Control de Riesgos: Con base en la evaluación, se deben implementar medidas de control para mitigar los riesgos. Esto puede incluir la instalación de equipo de protección personal, la revisión de procedimientos operativos y la capacitación de los empleados en prácticas seguras.

One thing I have found useful is utilising a second person when looking at risks associated with a particular process / piece of equipment. A different set of eyes will most likely see additional risks you have missed.

Starting by gathering data through incident reports, near-miss reports, and observations to identify patterns or trends. Using root cause analysis techniques such as fishbone diagrams or the 5 Whys to delve deeper into underlying factors contributing to accidents. Prioritize addressing systemic issues like inadequate training, equipment failures, or unsafe work practices. Implement proactive measures such as regular safety audits, hazard assessments, and job safety analyses to identify potential risks before they lead to accidents. Foster a culture of safety by encouraging open communication and reporting, where employees feel empowered to identify hazards and suggest improvements.

Using a risk matrix is an easy way to determine priority of actions. The matrix ties the consequence of the risk happening, against the likelihood of it happening. In the technologies teaching space where students are exposed to various power tools, anything with a medium rating dictates a formal induction and proficiency test. A very high rating results in looking closely at why the risk exists, and depending on the risk type, it may be the equipment is restricted to senior students and staff only. Anything above very high is eliminated...ie it is removed from the classroom.

Ongoing monitoring of results is crucial to any safety plan. Too often, people view prevention as excluding after-action monitoring. However, without monitoring for results and feedback, a safety plan can become stale or ineffective. Additionally, it may fail to address new technologies and procedures that emerge in the workplace.

Remember that there is no such thing as common sense! Train your staff. That said, also be prepared to learn yourself. What may be obvious to you, is not even recognised by the person sitting next to you.

Risk assessments are not static. Those best at controlling risks take a dynamic risk assessment approach, meaning as the environment changes, so does the risk assessment to reflect the change in conditions. This does not mean a detailed static risk assessment is invalid...what it does mean is as the environmental conditions change, the risks also vary, and the competent operator recognises this and alters their approach.