At freeway exits, do not drive alongside other cars. A script is a memory that helps us get things done. The US Department of Homeland Security reminds us to be aware of our surroundings, if you see something, say something.Lawrence Tech is a private, accredited. If someone stops to help, stay in your locked car and ask them to call the police, sheriff or a tow truck service. Watch for signals from other drivers. The best way to avoid complacency is to consciously remind yourself to stay alert. Make the balance, take it easy, and don't schedule every minute of every day. In other terms, this could mean simply instructing workers on the safest way to do things or telling your supervisor about health and safety hazards you see on a job site. The most common thing that reduces aware is distraction. Many drivers follow too closely (tailgate) and are not able to see as far ahead as they should because the vehicle ahead blocks their view. A few quick tips that might signal potential danger include shiftiness, hands in pockets, and avoiding eye contact. First, you'll start noticing more. Attend a demo, get a free Raken Carhartt beanie. Paying attention to your surroundings might prevent an injury. For our purposes we'll focus on situational awareness for self-defense purposes as it is a very important self-defense skill. Basic Safety Tips for Women: Speak Up. If youre using headphones, consider using only one, or keeping the volume as low as possible in order to still be able to hear what is going on around you. The primary element in establishing this mindset is first to recognize that a threat or hazard exists. Smelling smoke, chemicals, or gas might tell you that there is a dangerous situation. If you stay calm, you can think, and if you can think, you can make good decisions.. Do not be a tailgater! It has to be a conscious effort for everyone to have a 360-degree view of situations and show others the importance of doing so. Use things like doors, walls, file cabinets as protection from being hit by moving objects around you (e.g. When traveling at night always book a taxi or get a lift with someone you trust. The best defense against the active shooter crisis in our country is to reduce the notification time and response time of our law enforcement. Inform the driver of the situation. Don't open your purse or wallet while boarding the bushave your pass or money already in your hand. If the answer is yes, great! Always look to each side of your vehicle at intersections, crosswalks, and railroad crossings. If someone bothers you or makes you feel uncomfortable, change seats. As an example, imagine walking down the street and you observe a shifty man with his hands in his pockets hiding in a dark alleyway as he watches you walk toward him. First, they should try to find a person in uniform, like a police officer, security guard, or store employee. Required fields are marked *. 4. When I was checking out, I noticed he was now standing in front of the store I had entered. Brake slowly before stopping. Question everything! Allow extra room ahead, do not brake suddenly. Your friends can wait. When people are in an area where there is potential danger (which, in reality, is almost anywhere), they should go through most of the day in a state of relaxed awareness. During off hours, ride as near to the bus operator as possible. When your range of vision is limited, get creative about ways to expand it and give yourself an advantage practice utilizing store windows, car windshields, or even other peoples sunglasses to detect threats you wouldnt be able to see otherwise. U.S. Pat. A driver may decide to exit suddenly or swerve back onto the freeway. It is important that each individual is looking out for his or her own safety as well as looking out for their workmates. Always leave plenty of room between your vehicle and any motorcyclists or bicyclists. Be aware of your surroundings on the job and use them to your advantage. Do you know how to learn or improve this skill? Toolbox Talk Topic: Situational Awareness Situational awareness is being aware of your surroundings: where you are, where you are supposed to be and nearby threat to your health and safety. You should always be looking around and aware of your surroundings. Never leave your purse or wallet in plain view or in common accessible areas. Precautions generally fall into defensive precautions and offensive precautions. Backing up is always dangerous because it is hard to see behind your vehicle. Our situational awareness is only as accurate as our own perception or reading of the situation, so what we think is happening may not accurately reflect reality. A lot of information is out there about you. When you think the work environment has changed since your last time there. If you are a new driver or a teen, then enrolling in a drivers education class can be beneficial. Ignoring warning signs or not being aware of what could lead to accidents can cause massive issues, as was the case when a crane collapsed in Texas, leaving four dead. Be aware of your surroundings. Reclaim your calendar, quit searching for your next safety meeting. We teach participants a saying, locks, lights, out of sight as a way for people to remember to lock the doors, turn off the lights, and hide if an active shooter were in their school, said Lt. Murphy. Like if a job is too risky for one person to do it, or if a machine seems faulty. 57 0 obj <>/Filter/FlateDecode/ID[<94B21628CD0A253A4D83801808161FB6>]/Index[49 25]/Info 48 0 R/Length 60/Prev 70674/Root 50 0 R/Size 74/Type/XRef/W[1 2 1]>>stream Keep jewelry out of sight; don't flash jewelry; turn rings around so the stones don't show. Remind your teens about the dangers of texting and how concentrating on driving not only keeps them safer but other people on the road as well. Turn on your lights during the day, if it is hard to see or you cannot see at least 1,000 feet ahead of you. Do they talk with you and then everyone can see? Can you see what others are seeing? Now, that may sound harsh, but to say that its not going to happen here is giving yourself permission to not be aware of whats around you.. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. You should aim to avoid falling into this auto-pilot mode while going about your daily life. Drive down a long or steep hill. All these activities might help prevent an attack. Be prepared. Using an effective drain cleaner can help prevent blockages that can lead to plumbing problems down the line. Only use your devices after youve determined you are in an area or situation where it is safe to do so. If something is in your path, you need to see it in time to stop. A man standing a few stores down yelled and asked me for bus money. 6. For more information about partnering with Raymond Storage Concepts and how we can satisfy your parts needs, pleasecontact ustoday. Try these personal safety drills at work or in public to form good habits and determine your best response to potential threats. Personal safety begins with an individuals awareness to their environment no one can defend against danger they couldnt see coming. If you don't report a crime, this allows the criminal to continue to operate without interference. ), and on gravel. Stopping work to make adjustments- Sometimes things do not go as you planned and thought they would. Questioning without judgment is a key factor in successful situational awareness. Exits: Always be aware of your exits, and have an exit strategy. Educate yourself concerning prevention tactics. Studies have shown that a company's safety performance directly impacts productivity and financial results. Allow enough space between you and the vehicle ahead to give yourself an out. Mistakes cause collisions. The level of concentration required for this type of driving makes it extremely tiring and stressful. Always be aware of your surroundings #WorkSafe #SafetyFirst. No. Both Gay and Klinger noted that "stop, drop and roll" is a classic life skill students learn as part of safety lessons in school. Keep your belongings in front of you and hold close to your body with both hands. This means you shouldn't be looking down at your phone, and you should also avoid wearing headphones. Assuming you have good tires, good brakes, and dry pavement: Adjust your driving speed to the weather and road conditions (refer to the Basic Speed Law in the Speed Limits section). I was part of the response team during the active shooting at Sikh Temple in 2012, said Lt. Murphy. An effective strategy requires that everyone be on board and the best way to achieve this is to be able to communicate with each other. Reading body language is a huge factor in training your perception of your surroundings. This is how your strengths and opportunities for improvement can be identified. Take in the whole scene If you only look at the middle of the road, you will miss what is happening on the side of the road and behind you. Should you have questions about how this pertains to your job talk to your supervisor or foreman. Assessment of your working environment should occur continually, but especially in the following situations: Why is situational awareness important to us? Raymond manufactures innovative electric lift trucks that deliver a lower total cost of ownership. Bad things do happen. Although a lot of us dont deal with the bad criminals who we presume are the threat, being aware of our surroundings is still important for both ourselves and our families. Avoid doorways, bushes and alleys where someone could hide. Next, breathe deep through your nose. Prioritizing the critical nature of active shooter training and drills is part of that preparation. Be aware of locations and situations which would make you appear vulnerable to crime, such as alleys and dark parking lots. Carry your wallet inside your coat, or in a front pocket. What if this was happening to the person in the car next to you? Following these quick tips can improve your awareness. Yes, that is difficult at first. Being safe is a prerequisite for many to return to, or remain in, their job, and they regard this as their employer's non-negotiable obligation. This website is to be used forinformational purposes only. ASSESS - The effects that the hazards will have upon you, the people you work with, equipment, procedures, pressures and the environment around you. They were just trained on Friday, and I was there running the drill with them on Monday.. Never Carry Extra People. 3. 4. Apathy, denial and complacency can be deadly. It is still a defensive, not offensive, tool in your arsenal. Keep an eye out for a flat tire, smoke emerging from underneath the trailer. Have an exit plan. Learn how your comment data is processed. Scanning your surroundings (keeping your eyes moving) includes keeping a safe distance around your vehicle. Preparing properly for them and taking safety seriously are essential actions to save lives and mitigate damage. This means avoiding the distractions mentioned earlier. If you work at a school, on any type of campus, or if your workplace needs an active shooter plan, Guard911 apps are a one-of-a-kind active shooter mobile safety alert technology that facilitates adoption of these safety tips. You need to practice this level of awareness when you are driving on icy or slushy roads. Choose a product which is designed specifically for use on toilets, sinks, bathtubs and showers in both . Any person wishing to rely on the information present on this site should consult with competent legal counsel before doing so. Your aggressor will be surprised at your response, take advantage of that. 0 Dont presume changes in your surroundings are innocent or fine. Proprioception refers to your awareness of your body and limbs in your surrounding space. Where needed call in your Corporate Safety Manager. If you are biased on your views it can lead to risks for you and your coworkers. Be aware of your surroundings and watch for small mistakes. When you go shopping, to work, to school, or simply take a walk in nature, you cannot be too careful when it comes to your personal safety. Always lock your car doors after entering or leaving your vehicle. Give yourself this time by keeping a "space cushion" on all sides of your vehicle. Always be aware of what's going on all around the vehicle. Regularly inspect your normal work area. Teach your children danger signs. For example, when you reach across a table to grab a pencil, you use proprioception to know how much. Dont fear, there is still hope. You should allow a four-second or more cushion when: If you follow too closely and another driver cuts in front of you, just take your foot off the gas. "If you think about it, the thought of burning to death sounds really terrifying," Klinger said. Remember the acronym, SLAM: Stop Look Assess Manage Stop the task and ask: Is this a new task? However, we do know this man is acting like a mugger. This does not just apply to buildings, but can be practiced in cars, public transportation, elevators, and even in outdoor environments. When walking, stay in well-lit areas and walk in numbers, if possible. It has been said, your gut feeling is not just a guess, your gut feeling is your body reacting based upon knowledge or experience before your mind can fully process the information it is receiving. As living conditions get better for everyone around the world, however, we tend to become less aware of our surroundings. Because of the way forklifts work, overloading can cause the rear wheels to rise off the ground and can make the whole machine fall over. Always be aware of your surroundings. Peripheral Vision: Attempt to focus on something while also observing whats happening at the edges of your vision. If you are in danger, try to get yourself to a safer location if possible. A second important element of the proper mindset is understanding the need to take responsibility for ones own safety. 4. %PDF-1.5 % Our knowledge, experience and education enables us to understand what is going on around us and helps us to determine if it is safe. Protect your Back: Utilize walls and other barriers to protect your back and sides and maximize your field of vision, taking care not to back yourself into a corner. Situational awareness, in laymans terms, is your ability to process your surroundings and notice any changes in those surroundings. But, the points that I took away from the training session were that you can protect yourself. Stay in well-lighted areas as much as possible. Votes: 2 Mike Crapo Assess the emergency and where you are. You may also submit an IT support request at http://help.emory.edu/ . %%EOF An enhanced sense of your surroundings allows for better preparation should a crisis event unfold. You probably already do this, it is called defensive driving. Recognizing hazards is an important part of keeping you and your co-workers safe . Wonder what if? It is this panic induced paralysis that concerns us most in relation to situational awareness. First, notice your surroundings. Everywhere you go, people have their heads down while looking at their phones, which means they cant be looking up to notice whats going on around them. This means you must be proactive about being aware of your surroundings. Turn and look over your right and left shoulders before you begin backing. These people walk into telephone poles. During the drill, we knocked on doors and people answered them! Ask yourself if you have the proper tools, training and PPE to perform the task safely. The extra space allows you to see around the vehicle. Tell your customer, supervisor, and workmates. The load should be carefully checked to ensure it's suitable, undamaged and stable for the forklift - avoid lifting anything that isn't safe . Lakshita @Nature beauty Mar 03, 2023, 20:11 IST. Exuding an aura of confidence, awareness, and capability, regardless of how you actually feel, can help broadcast to any threats that you are an undesirable target, and increase your personal safety. Personal Space: If someone is crowding you, seems suspicious, or is displaying threatening body language, scan them for subtle signs of violent intent or a hidden weapon. Always stay within a group when possible. To do so, intentionally and persistently practice the following: Be aware of your surroundings. What about someone screaming for help? You dont need specialized training like a CIA agent or to be a born natural to have good awareness. Follow your emergency plan. -Be aware of your surroundings -Keep your cell-phone charged and with you at all times -Use good judgment on social media before publicly sharing information or a location. 4. The recent news of the murder of the Texas District Attorney and his wife in their home makes everyones heart skip a beat and wonder. Regularly exercising your senses can make them keener, which can help you avoid unsafe situations, determine threats faster, and pick up on critical information more quickly during emergencies. When beginning work on a new project/contract/customer location. As a safety measure, also look over your right and left shoulders again while backing. 2023 Arrowhead General Insurance Agency, Inc. CA License #0699809, How you can prevent business fraud at your company, Steps to prevent winter property damage to roofs, Employers, help workers prevent worksite fatigue [infographic]. Technology draws us in and makes it harder to observe the vital things around us. Be alert of your surroundings at all time - Teens can be especially guilty of being oblivious to their surroundings. Even practicing one of these skills on a regular basis can exponentially increase your situational awareness. Watch for large vehicles because they can gather speed very quickly. You can observe all the attack cues in the world and still could face an attack. Once your business or organization has a response plan, Guard911 mobile panic button apps offer a convenient place to store it where its immediately available with the touch of an icon on the users phone. Intuition: Trust your gut. iPods). What if that truck doesnt stop at its red light, do you have time to stop, someplace to go? I told him I didnt have any. Keep your head on a swivel looking for potential hazards. (In other words, be just a little paranoid.) Even if there is not currently a dangerous situation or nobody has been injured, if there are elements that could lead to either of these things, the person in charge should be made aware so that they can take the appropriate action. Play the what if game. Cooper CS4 Touring Review Is It Worth Buying? On the highway, 1015 seconds is about a quarter of a mile. Safe driving demands more than just staring out the front window. Following motorcyclists on wet or icy roads, on metal surfaces (e.g., bridge gratings, railroad tracks, etc. Make a phone call requesting help for them. Stay flexible in your schedule, and don't say NO to unexpected adventures. No one can predict disaster, and situational awareness can be the determining factor between life and death. The other driver may not see your vehicle and could change lanes and hit you. How we read a situation can be influenced by many things such as the type of information we have been given, our own experience and distractions in the workplace. If you suspect you are being followed, go into an open store or a Public Safety Safe Haven and have the clerk call the Police or Public Safety right-away. These vehicles must stop at railroad crossings; so, slow down early and allow plenty of room. . It is important if you have a management role or even the role of a team leader that you practice situational awareness. 9,905,117. If you think you are being followed, drive to a public place or a police or sheriff station. Check the interior of your vehicle for intruders before entering your car. {4t6V6mf@Vf%qWEGIMRJ)Px#+m. 5. Do not develop a fixed stare. Keep scanning. Situational awareness is important to everyone - it is important that everyone is aware of their surroundings and the potential hazards they face. This means that everyone's situational awareness is individual and potentially different. The comatose level is where you go into shock, your brain ceases to process information and you simply cannot react to the reality of the situation. Lt. Murphy has been onsite at several schools during active shooter drills. "But we're able to talk to kids about 'stop, drop and roll,' and it doesn't cause the chaos, fear and . Continental ExtremeContact DWS Review Does It Meet Expectations? Examples that we see every day include: Talking or texting on a smart phone; Walking around listening to music on ear phones; Daydreaming; Maintaining good awareness of your surroundings helps you stay safe. Accidents don't come with a warning - prioritize safety in the workplace and avoid preventable injuries. Be aware of escape routes for emergencies and post the police and fire department numbers near telephones. Welders should always be aware of their surroundings before starting a weld. This does not just apply to buildings, but can be practiced in cars, public transportation, elevators, and even in outdoor environments. This does not mean to be provocative and ask for a confrontation. If you carry a purse, carry it securely between your arm and your body. Pirelli Cinturato Strada All Season Review Is It the Tire for You? The first part of the process is the cue or trigger, the second is the routine or behavior itself, and the third is the reward.