The Words -- “I’m Sorry” (What do they really mean?)

As we enter the New Year, I would like you to think about accident prevention and improving your safety awareness. Recently, as I was traveling to one of my clients, I shipped all of my training materials and programs with me on a well-known commercial airline.

Believe it or not, the airline shipped my bag ahead of me (which is against FAA and TSA regulations), and when I finally arrived at my destination four hours later, I found that my luggage with all of my clothes was there, but all of my training materials, computer bag, computer training programs, and movies were missing.

Frantically, I looked all around at the other bags that were left in the area unsecured and then went to the agent to see if they had my bag inside the office area. They looked around at the unsecured bags, and naturally, they did not have my missing bag and stated, “Maybe it was stolen.” They went on to say they were “SORRY” and would keep checking around, and if it showed up, they would let me know.

The agent saying “I’m Sorry” was not going to help either my client or me. How was I going to tell my client, after I flew across the United States and the client gathered all of their people into the classroom to be trained, that we could not accomplish the training goal because the airline was negligent in safeguarding my possessions, but more importantly, violated every known airline security law?

Then, to make matters worse, the airline stated they were not responsible for any electronic materials, but they were indeed “Sorry, my bag was missing.” How would you feel about those words, “I’m Sorry,” if you were me?

“I’m sorry” is a phrase people utilize in the American language for apologizing. Unless you don’t mean it, then it’s just one empty contraction and one empty five-letter word.

The definition of an accident is an unplanned event, and when one occurs in your facilities or homes, we use the magical words to say “I’m Sorry,” hoping that will make the incident better. I would like you to think about how many times you bumped into someone because you were not paying attention and said “I’m Sorry,” or if you had an accident, you used those very words. These words do not really do anything for anybody, and it really does not make the incident acceptable.

Improving Safety Awareness and Accountability

As we begin this New Year, let’s contemplate how we are going to improve our safety programs for our employees. Management, leadership, and commitment are the motivating force that drives a successful safety and health program. Management must inherently value safety and be committed to reducing workplace hazards and preventing injuries and illnesses.

Management should establish specific safety and health program responsibilities for managers, supervisors, and employees, and hold them accountable for carrying out those responsibilities.

Management and supervisor responsibilities include the following:

■ Supporting injury and illness prevention efforts
■ Conducting safety audits and correcting deficiencies
■ Investigating accidents
■ Providing effective training
■ Enforcing safety rules and procedures
■ Complying with OSHA requirements

Employees need to see that management is actively involved in all of the different components of the established safety and health program. A key part of a safety and health program is the evaluation of the workplace for hazards. Many hazards should already have been identified and corrected through compliance with specific OSHA regulations. Make an effort to identify all hazards that could result in an injury or illness to even one employee.

Evaluating Workplace Hazards

Effective hazard assessment requires a variety of examinations, such as:

■ Review of safety and health information
■ Workplace inspections
■ Job Safety and Health Assessments (JSHA)
■ Safety suggestions
■ Safety committees
■ Accident investigation
■ Employee observation

Review safety and health information, including:

■ Previous accident reports
■ Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)
■ OSHA regulations
■ Industry-specific safety information, such as best management practices
■ Safety articles, booklets, and training materials

Closing Thoughts

Let’s travel into the New Year with the ultimate goal of building improved safety and health programs. Remember, when an employee or one of your family members is injured in an accident, the words “I’m Sorry” will not take away the hurt they will feel, and in reality, will not make it better.

All accidents are planned events, and remember my quote: “It is either safe or it is unsafe!” If it is unsafe, why would we ever want anybody to take the chance of getting hurt? No money in the world will make it better, and certainly, the words “I’m Sorry” will not alleviate the pain of an injury or accident.

Let’s make 2008 a banner year in reducing accidents and injuries.

If you need anything, please remember all of us who submit articles and information to Plastics Distributors and Fabricator Magazine are here to help provide you with guidance. All you have to do is ask.

As you celebrate the New Year, set goals to make 2008 a safe and healthy environment both at home and at your business establishment. By performing due diligence in improving your safety and health programs, you will not find yourself uttering the words “I’m Sorry” to anyone due to an injury or accident.