Once again, the On‐Site‐Services Team put in another stellar performance at Syncrude during their 2012 spring turnaround. The crew was frequently complimented on their competence, work ethic, and overall performance. They even made the news paper. We all know that safety is a key element of success today, personal success as well as success for our company. The Pathway Wahlco crew was rewarded for their adherence to good practices by being asked to create the safety slogan for the turnaround. Their slogan “If you gamble with SAFETY, you bet your life” was prominently displayed for all to see at the site. It should be noted that the On‐Site‐Services team has worked 233,600 hours since 2005 without a single recordable injury. We are very proud of the On‐Site‐Services team. They accomplish the seemingly impossible, in conditions that are often very unpleasant, under circumstances that are often very challenging and they do it all out of position. The services team is one of the most powerful sales tools that we have in our arsenal at Pathway Wahlco. Hats off, and thanks for a job well done at Syncrude! Everest Expedition
Syncrude Turnaround – Day 49
June 19, 2012
Safety: Attitude is Everything! How’s Yours?
We have heard for many years how it is important to work safely. It has been said in many ways, including safety slogans like “Safety begins
with you” or “Stay alert and don’t get hurt.” There are many others. In fact, I bet that you could name a few. Some of us have listened to this
advice with one ear, but never thought about it much. Others may not have listened, choosing instead to believe “it can’t happen to me.”
The one comment that we have all heard is that when it comes to safety “attitude is everything.” It is unfortunate that some workers’ attitude
toward safety is only changed after a catastrophic event happens on the job. In construction, the potential for a serious incident is always
present. However, the proper attitude toward safety is the first line of defense. How is your attitude toward safety? Let’s explore the common
characteristics of a good safety attitude.
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Focus - Focus on the task at hand. Even when there are outside influences and other distractions, remain focused at all times.
•
Time - Take time to do the job safely. This may mean taking more time to retrieve the proper PPE and equipment, but those few extra
minutes could make the difference between a job completed with or without an injury.
•
Consistency - Do the job the right way, the safe way, every day and every time. This goes a long way toward preventing accidents and
injuries. A short cut could end up being the fast track to an injury.
•
Responsibility - Take responsibility for yourself and those who work with and around you. Think of yourself as part of a team working
together to complete the project without incident.
•
Risk - Avoid taking unnecessary risks that can lead to an injury. Unnecessary risks may save time and make the job easier, but they will
catch up to you in the end.
A good safety attitude means being smart and avoiding taking risks whenever and wherever you can. Our attitude toward safety affects everyone around us. It can be positive or negative. We may not realize it, but our coworkers pay attention to what we do. It is easy to think of
excuses for not acting with safety in mind. However, working safely makes better sense, considering the negative effects that a serious incident can have on you, your family or your career. Don’t wait for a catastrophic event to adjust your attitude toward safety. The greatest benefit to having a good safety attitude on the job is being able to return home safely. After all, safety does begin with you!
WHAT IS YOUR ATTITUDE
TOWARDS SAFETY?
Committed safety: You see the benefits, are committed
to it and live by it at all times.
Genuine compliance: You see the benefit of safety and
you follow the letter of the law.
Formal compliance: You see some of the benefits and
you do what is expected.
Grudging compliance: You do not see the benefit and
you complain while doing the bare minimum
Non-compliance: You do not see the benefit and you do
not work with safety in mind.
Showboat compliance: You talk up safety in safety
meetings, but you only work with safety to impress the
right people.
Pathways technicians, working Project Everest are installing
the expansion joints on CO3 and 4 and doing the repairs on
the Hot Coker expansion joint 8-3.
From left to right Mark Slagle (28yrs) James West (10 yrs)
Gary Prosise (32 years) Tony Price (20 yrs) Mike Moates (28
yrs) Mike Laverdiere (28 yrs) Alf Karrgard (38 yrs)
184 years of combined experience! WOW!
Enrolled safety: You want it and will work with some
safety in mind. But you do not fully appreciate the benefits.
Apathy: You have no interest in safety and you do not
rebel. But you do need
never ending guidance and direction.
Definitions:
Asset: A good worker, who works with safety at all times.
Liability: A good worker, who works unsafe at any
time.
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