The importance of safety
Dr. Selim Erhan | TLT From the Editor August 2021
It takes a fraction of a second to stop and think before we act.
I will start with a big thank you to my STLE family for honoring me with the TLT Editor responsibilities. In the last 30 years, I have enjoyed being an STLE member, met great people, learned from the many opportunities that STLE presented and had many gratifying chances to contribute. Now this position encourages me to dig even deeper and bring out information that, hopefully, will be useful to many. Sometimes one word or one thought triggers many other thoughts that bring cascading benefits. My most sincere hope is that my experiences will be beneficial.
Most industrial events start with a safety moment. I, too, will start my first article with safety in mind—not only because it is important in the industry or workplace, but because it is important in everyday life as well—really, really, important every second we are conscious. I once was in a safety course that mentioned: “All accidents are avoidable.” A very strong statement, but when I think and run through accidents that I have seen, it’s a very true one! Every accident I saw was avoidable. It brings up memories of my father saying, “Don’t run; you will fall and hurt yourself.” When I fell, I wondered, how could he possibly know in advance?
The real sad part is that it takes a fraction of a second to stop and think before we act, and, if we do, we all can see the correct path immediately. It is a mindset that one can switch into, evaluate and decide on a safe path instantaneously. Every day I look at the scar on my finger that was from a cut almost to the bone! I was going to cut a fresh baguette—hot and crispy on the outside— just the way I like it! As I was ready to cut, years of practice brought the thought, “If this knife slides on this hard surface, I am going to cut my finger!” Then, maybe because I was lazy, maybe too eager to taste the hot bread, maybe too macho to hold it with a towel, I started to cut without the towel, and immediately the knife slipped and lodged itself in my finger. If I had used a towel… if I …. but it was too late!
Trying to drive another five minutes when we are sleepy, swinging at that log with an axe and not thinking about what happens if we miss, thinking about anything other than driving when driving, trying to get that last digit of the telephone number we are going to dial when traffic has started to move—all seemingly small risks, but they are not. Many home and industrial accidents have irreversible consequences. Of course, in industry, the scope is much larger, but the mindset should be the same. From changing a light bulb to operating the most dangerous machinery, we must remember we are in control.
We are lucky because we live in a society that takes safety very seriously. In every company I worked for, safety was the priority. Tools, training, equipment and procedures are all available. However, none of these tools will help if they are not used. We must use them for ourselves, for our colleagues, for our children, for our parents and countless others that helped us come to where we are—for our society that depends on us! Each and every one of us is very valuable, not only for the contributions we are going to make, but also because we are part of a very intertwined set of relationships and responsibilities. That second we set aside for safety will bring benefits far more than we can imagine. Stop and think before starting any action. If it looks risky, it is not safe. If someone said it is not safe, then it is not safe. Choose to be safe—we are worth it!
Dr. Selim Erhan is director of business development for Process Oils Inc. in Trout Valley, Ill. You can reach him at serhan@processoilsinc.com.