06 Oct General Safety – “Take Two”
General Safety – “Take Two”
Many workplace incidents occur because a hazard is corrected temporarily without identifying why the hazard existed in the first place. Fixing the immediate problem is important, but preventing it from happening again requires looking for the underlying cause.
Consider this example: You are walking through the work area and notice a puddle of oil on the floor. You recognize the slip hazard and immediately clean it up. The floor is safe again, so you return to work.
The next day, another employee slips on a puddle of oil in the same location and injures their back.
What went wrong?
You corrected the immediate hazard, but not the source of the hazard. The oil was coming from a leaking hose fitting above the work area. Until the leak was repaired, the hazard could continue to return.
This is where “Take Two” can help.
Take Two Before Moving On
“Take Two” means taking a couple of minutes to consider whether an observed hazard has actually been corrected or whether additional action is necessary.
When you identify a hazard:
- Correct or control the immediate danger when you can safely do so.
- Consider what caused the condition.
- Determine whether the hazard could happen again.
- Notify your Supervisor when additional corrective action is needed.
- Protect or restrict access to the area until the hazard is adequately controlled.
- Follow through to make sure corrective actions are completed and effective.
The objective is simple: don’t stop at the quick fix when the underlying hazard remains.
The T-A-K-E Approach
The T-A-K-E — Talk, Actions, Knowledge, Equipment — Two approach provides a simple way to think through a workplace hazard.
T – Talk
Talk with your Supervisor and the employees who perform the work.
Ask:
- What happened?
- Has this happened before?
- When was the condition first noticed?
- What might be causing it?
- Who could be exposed?
- What needs to be done to keep people safe until it is corrected?
Employees who regularly perform the work may have valuable information about the hazard and its possible causes.
A – Actions
Take appropriate action to control the immediate hazard and prevent exposure.
Depending on the situation, this could include:
- Cleaning a spill.
- Barricading or restricting access to an unsafe area.
- Removing defective equipment from service.
- Applying lockout/tagout when required.
- Correcting an unsafe condition.
- Reporting the hazard for repair.
- Conducting an incident or hazard investigation when appropriate.
An immediate correction should not be mistaken for a permanent solution.
K – Knowledge
Gather enough information to understand what happened and why.
Consider:
- What conditions contributed to the hazard?
- Was equipment defective or improperly maintained?
- Were procedures adequate and followed?
- Was appropriate training provided?
- Were employees aware of the hazard?
- Did environmental or workplace conditions contribute?
- Have similar problems occurred previously?
The purpose is to identify contributing and underlying causes—not simply assign blame.
E – Equipment
Inspect the equipment, tools, machinery, materials, and physical conditions associated with the hazard.
In the oil-spill example, cleaning the floor addresses the immediate condition. Inspecting the surrounding equipment reveals the leaking fitting that needs repair.
Look for:
- Leaks.
- Damage or deterioration.
- Missing or defective guards.
- Loose fittings or connections.
- Improper adjustments.
- Worn components.
- Maintenance deficiencies.
- Improper equipment selection or use.
Defective equipment should be removed from service or otherwise controlled until it can be safely repaired or replaced.
Correct the Hazard at Its Source
Whenever possible, corrective actions should address the hazard at its source. Consider controls using the hierarchy of controls:
- Eliminate the hazard.
- Substitute a safer material, process, or method.
- Apply engineering controls.
- Use administrative or work-practice controls.
- Use appropriate PPE.
Sometimes temporary controls are necessary while a permanent correction is being developed. If so, make sure employees remain protected until the permanent solution is completed.
Questions for Discussion
Think about your own work area:
- Have we ever corrected a hazard only to have it return later?
- What hazards are repeatedly being repaired, cleaned up, or worked around?
- Are we addressing causes or only symptoms?
- What prevents us from making permanent corrections?
- Who should be notified when a hazard cannot be immediately eliminated?
- How do we verify that corrective actions have actually worked?
- Could today’s “quick fix” become tomorrow’s injury?
Remember
Cleaning up the oil is necessary—but stopping the leak prevents the next spill.
When you find a hazard, Take Two: control the immediate danger, determine why it happened, correct the underlying cause, and verify that the solution works. A few extra minutes spent investigating a recurring problem can prevent an injury later.