A million thanks to all my readers of the last blog “My India Safe India”. By giving me an honest and critical feedback, you have motivated me to continue this series of conversations between Jaggy and Maggie.

A lot of things happened since the last blog. Some great memories, some not so good ones and the accidents which have happened all over the world during the month. Maggie and Jaggy will continue their conversation on Safety and in this episode, they will talk about unsafe conditions and unsafe acts. Enjoy the conversation.

Jaggy: “Hello Maggie!”

Maggie: “Hi, Jaggy. Good to see you again.”

Jaggy: “Nice to see you too!”

Maggie: “It was an interesting discussion on Safety and I have taken upon myself to be safe and keep others around me safe.”

Jaggy: “Good to hear that.”

Maggie: “Last time you had told me that I should avoid unsafe acts and unsafe conditions. Can you add more to that, please?”  

Jaggy: “Thanks for reminding me. Accidents happen anywhere due to unsafe conditions and acts.”

Maggie: “Is it so?”

Jaggy: “Yes.”

Maggie: “Can you explain further?””

Jaggy: “An unsafe condition is any situation, environment or place which can cause injury, loss of life or even damage to property.”

Maggie: “Any examples?”

Jaggy: “A water-logged road is an unsafe condition. Work being carried out without proper signs, equipment without guards, defective tools, poor housekeeping and something as simple as a wet floor, either at home or the work place.”

Maggie: “A wet floor in a home is an unsafe condition?”

Jaggy: “Elementary, dear Maggie. You can slip and fall, is it not? Poor lighting too is an unsafe condition.”

Jaggy: “Yeah, Maggie. Accidents many a time occur in the dark.”

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Maggie: “Poor lighting?”

Maggie: “Then what are unsafe acts?”

Jaggy: “Any activity you undertake which can cause injury or endanger your life is an unsafe act.”

Maggie: “Could you explain with examples?”

Jaggy: “Driving a vehicle on a water-logged road, ignoring safety signs, working without proper personal protection, rash driving, standing beneath suspended loads, walking in the dark without a light, not wearing seat belts or helmets.”

Maggie: “Wow! So many examples.”

Jaggy: “There are many more but listing them all is not possible.”

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Maggie: “Then how do we improve Safety?”

Jaggy: “First thing to be done is to report an unsafe condition as and when we see it. Many don’t do that.”

Maggie: “Don’t we do that?”

Jaggy: “Many just walk past an unsafe condition or an unsafe act. Only a few take action and report it. When you observe anyone doing an unsafe act, ask them to stop it.”

Maggie: “Many use mobile phones while riding 2 wheelers which is an unsafe act. How do I stop it”?

Jaggy: “Sustained awareness campaigns by all of us can produce the results and reduce injuries and death.”

Maggie: “How can one prevent accidents from happening?”

Jaggy: “By doing Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment.”

Maggie: “I do not understand what you said?”

Jaggy: “We will discuss this in our next conversation. Till then, watch out and ‘Stay Safe’.”

We all are, in one way or other, responsible for the accidents which happen everywhere and as a Safety Teacher, I believe that all accidents can be prevented.

Happy reading. Jaggy and Maggie will discuss more on safety in the forthcoming blogs.

Till then,

“Live Life, Save Life”

“Seshadri Varadarajan.