David Pancoast
Corporate Safety Professional
During the 1960’s there was a sci-fi TV series called, “Lost in Space.” In it was a robot, whose name was Robot, that was able to sense danger and would alert the crew members. “Danger Will Robinson” was a familiar cry from the robot to warn the young boy, Will Robinson, of imminent danger. It was usually some sort of attack from an alien that no one else anticipated. Wouldn’t it be great if we all had our own personal robot to warn us of potentially dangerous or unsafe conditions? Or if we were about to perform an unsafe act. Yeah . . . that would be great. Well maybe we do have a “robot”!
There are warning signs, safety devices on tools and equipment, Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) or Job Briefings, safety meetings, training classes on specific subjects, Danella Safety Videos, experienced co-workers, and a lot more.
Read and heed warning signs and labels, be familiar with the safety devices on equipment and tools, participate in a meaningful JHA or Job Briefing before work begins and as conditions change, review safety messages, attend and participate in safety meetings, attend and participate in safety training classes, listen to the ‘old-timers’ and learn from their experiences.
But where is the “robot” that will alert us of immediate pending danger?
It may be in different forms, but the robot is there – for example:
- An audible and visual alarm on an air monitor (gas detector) indicates an unsafe atmospheric condition in a manhole or other type of confined space. Do not enter or get out if you’re already in it if the alarm is triggered.
- The back-up alarm on trucks and equipment will let you know when they are traveling in reverse. If trucks or equipment do not have an alarm or if it is defective, report it to your supervisor or safety professional.
- Many cranes, boom trucks, digger derricks, and bucket trucks have an audible alarm when the outriggers or stabilizers are being lowered. Operators and crew must always communicate especially if the unit is not designed with an alarm to avoid a crushing injury.
- The strike alarm on a horizontal directional drill will alert the crew if the drill head makes contact with buried electric cables. Test the alarm when setting up the drill and make sure the drill is always grounded.
- There are several types of testing equipment to identify energized electric conductors or facilities when working on or near them. Make sure testing equipment is inspected and calibrated.
You probably can think of a few more examples.
There is another very important way to warn someone of danger if they are about to do something that could result in an injury; tell them to Stop Unsafe Work! Everyone on a crew has the Authority and Obligation to Stop Unsafe Work. Sometimes we may lose focus or overlook situational awareness. But a co-worker can help keep us safe just like the Lost in Space robot . . . Danger Will Robinson!
Image Credit: Lost in Space