COMPLACENCY – THE SILENT KILLER
Complacency – Defined as a feeling of security often while unaware of potential danger.
We can become so comfortable in our work situation that we are no longer even aware of what could go wrong.
This very tendency of our human nature is one of the leading silent killers on worksites.
If complacency does not bother you it could be because you are already feeling nice warm and secure in its deception.
Opportunities for injuries (hazards) are out there every day and if we drop our defence (risk control measures, attitudes and perceptions) we are creating a path for a hazard to cause an injury. We all need to be on our guard (daily) against the thinking that a lack of injuries means that we have this safety thing all under control.
Repetitive tasks and situational awareness will lead to complacency.
Let us all help each other to not become so comfortable in our safety efforts that we create opportunities for injury.
Be diligent and on your guard and if you see anybody dropping their guard (so to speak) out on site go and talk to them.
Don’t let your compliance turn into complacence.
Board Member, Investor, Entrepreneur.
8 年Thanks Andrew for the article and bringing this very important issue front of mind. Like you, and I’m sure others, we see complacency appear over and over in incidents involving people. It bothers me to witness this but what bothers me most, is our approach to trying to solve this problem. Our lack of scientific process to deal with probably the major cause of incidents and injury, bothers me greatly. My own research shows urban myths abound, with an overwhelming lack of any body of repeatable evidence. We need a deep understanding of the what, why and how of complacency. Starting with our mental processes then translating them to behaviours. This relationship is critical to finding the solutions we need. So, I return full circle by thanking you again, for bringing this very important issue front of mind. Today, lets think about tackling this issue with proper science. Lets start a scientific revolution in safety.
AUNZ HSE Construction Manager at Vestas
8 年Andrew, a good article and well written. Thanks for posting. It would be great if you could share your thoughts on how situational awareness leads to complacency, as mentioned in the article. This is a term used frequently in the fire and emergency work environments that I have exposure to, usually referring to how to manage risk.
Using Neuroscience to Minimize Inattention ☆ Author: Third Generation Safety ☆ Keynote Speaker
8 年Thanks Andrew. In the training that we do for our clients we define complacency as the automatic misalignment of the conscious and subconscious mind when we are doing things we have done plenty of times before. It's not a character weakness or anything like that. Although you can't eliminate complacency altogether, what you can do is get people to understand how it comes about and get them to work on safer habits. So when complacency comes (as it will when you feel comfortable because the misalignment takes place from time to time in all of us), the safer habits can provide a fair amount of protection.
Principal Consultant
8 年Agree Andrew and I also think there is a tendency for highly skilled people to over time cut corners to increase productivity at the cost of safe process. That is why a highly productive and skilled tradesman may not necessarily be the best teacher and coach for an inexperienced learner.....in fact they could (and do) create poor and unsafe teaching! Thanks for sharing.