Category Archives: Life Saving Education

ENGAGE, EDUCATE, EMPOWER, PEOPLE TO ENHANCE SAFETY.

Safety as a Responsibility, , , ,

Hello readers! It has been a long time since I had last written a blog. If my memory serves me right, it is almost 2 years. Whatever may be the reasons I give will be nothing but excuses. I decided it was high time to stay away and not spread the knowledge I have, to the society.

The title ‘Engage, Educate, Empower, for people to enhance safety’ is the theme for the National Safety Day in India which falls on the 4th of March. In one of the organizations where I have been conducting trainings, I noticed a statement in bold. It said, ‘YOU ARE THE BEST GIFT FOR YOUR FAMILY.’ It is 100% true. The responsibility to remain safe is our first and foremost priority. But how to do it ourselves and keep others safe is a huge question mark.

Today there is so much going on around the world creating loss of life. Wars, accidents, natural disasters and what have not added to the uncertain lives. Jaggie and Maggie, our most loved characters discuss on the theme. Let us listen to them once again.

Jaggy: “Hello Maggie!”

Maggie: “Hi Jaggy, it has been a long time since we met. Trust everything is fine.”

Jaggy: “Yes Maggi, everything is going great.”

Maggie: “Good to hear. This time, the safety day theme is quite interesting.”

Jaggy: “Correct. It says Engage, Educate, Empower, people to enhance Safety. It is a profound statement.”

Maggie: “Of course, it is profound but how does one do it?”

Jaggy: “Safety is something many talk about but follow at their own convenience. Not only in the workplace, but everywhere. We always have an attitude of nothing will happen to me.”

Maggie: “How would you correct that?”

Jaggy: “First, rather than Educate I will Engage them. Engaging does not mean organizing seminars, webinars, or something like that. Engaging involves discussions, taking responsibility and accountability. It is simply not easy.”

Maggie: “You are right but how to do it?”

Jaggy: “As in life everyone needs a WHY to achieve their goals. Here too, we tell them WHY safety is important than everything else. When the Why is clear everyone would be willing to follow. It is important to engage the people on activities to explain the Why?”

Maggie: “Even then there are people who will not engage.”

Jaggy: “Yes, in the end they will come to understand looking at the others who have changed once they have understood the why.”

Maggie: “Oh, I see!”

Jaggy: “The next step is to educate by conducting training sessions on a lot of safety topics. This part is usually being done in all types of workplaces.”

Maggie: “In my office too, they are done but hardly a few ever attend.”

Jaggy: “This is an eternal problem. The attitude is that it is not for me. Once people realize through an experience, they would willingly attend. For people like us as Safety trainers, the way in which we deliver creates the need to attend.”

Maggie: “Then what about empowering people?”

Jaggy: “This is the action part. People should not only talk but put it in action. Safety Leadership is all about visible commitment. Where there are commitment and visibility, people are empowered.”

Maggie: “Same old Jaggy, never giving a straight answer.”

Jaggy: “It is simple Maggie. Communicate and remind people that they are free to report incidents and accidents. Any violation they observe, has to be reported. They should be given clear instructions to report without fear or bias when they see an unsafe act. Have a culture for rewarding people who report violations.”

Maggie: “What about the offender? Do we punish them?”

Jaggy:” Not for every violation. Some can be corrected by discussing things outright when noticed. They can be corrected with a clear system of information regarding violations. Even people can be rewarded if they correct themselves after violation. When done with the right intention and emotion, people tend to learn.”

Maggie: “Can we use the latest technology to do this?”

Jaggy: “100%. Technology today has improved by leaps and bounds, and it can be used to remind people how to be safe. Because humans need reminding.”

Maggie:” Any last words before you conclude Jaggy?”

Jaggy: “I would say that Safety Thoughts lead to Safety words. Safety Words lead to Safety action. Safety action leads to Safety practice. Safety practice leads to a Safety culture. Have a great Safety week and month Maggie.”

Maggie: “You too Jaggy. Stay Safe and healthy.”

To conclude, I can only say that when we keep safety as the uppermost thing in mind, we can always live a better life. Safety not only physically and mentally but also in the cyber space which has become a part and parcel of our life. The more and more we sweat in peace, the less and less we bleed in war. Take care.

Seshadri Varadarajan.

Author of the Book No one Should Cry When I Die.

Connect with me on Instagram, Linkedin, Facebook.

Email seshadri3225@gmail.com

9840814353.

MY INDIA -SAFE INDIA. NATIONAL SAFETY DAY.

Education, Life Saving Education, Live Life, Safety, Safety as a Responsibility, , , , , , , , ,

Dear Readers, my last blog was posted in the month of November 2023. We are in 2024 and I have not published my blog since then. It has been a breakdown of sorts for which I would not like to give excuses. My readers have certain expectations and fulfilling them is what I should be focussing on. I apologise for the same and will be more regular hereinafter.

In this blog Maggie and Jaggy will continue their conversation on creating awareness on safety. They will be discussing on the National Safety Day theme for 2024 which is Focus on Safety Leadership for Environment, Social and Governance Excellence. It is a long theme and let us all trust Maggie and Jaggy will help us understand the same.

Maggie: “Hello Jaggy, Long time no see. All well?”

Jaggy: “Yes Maggie. Everything is just fine. Was caught up in a lot of work and other issues. Sorry for not meeting you often.”

Maggie: “It is OK Jaggy. It is just great to see you back. Let us get started!”

Jaggy: “Sure Maggie! Shoot.”

Maggie: “The theme for the National Safety Day seems to be too long. I am not able to say it fully.”

Jaggy: “To be honest yes, it is. But it talks about an important factor which is Safety Leadership. The theme itself says Focus on Safety Leadership for Environment, Social, Governance,(ESG) Excellence.”

Maggie: “Whatever it is it went way above my head like a bouncer.”

Jaggy: “It initially seems so but to understand it is not so complicated. Everyday there are new words and phrases and ESG and Safety Leadership are more often heard today by safety professionals.”

Maggie: “I understand but can you explain the theme better?”

Jaggy: “The theme says that the focus should be more on Safety leadership to create Excellence in the Environment, Social, Governance, (ESG). Just as we need leaders to make things better in organizations, workplaces, sports and even homes we need leaders to drive safety.”

Maggie: “I understand but can you elaborate on the good qualities of a leader first and then move to Safety Leadership.”

Jaggy: “To simply put it a leader is one Who Knows the Way, Shows the Way, and Goes the Way.”

Maggie: “A nice one Jaggy but how does this apply to Safety.”

Jaggy: “A Safety leader first and foremost should have knowledge on the safety process of his organization, show how safety is adopted and of course follow it himself at all times. A safety leader will always have 3 C’s of leadership.”

Maggie: “What are 3 C’s of leadership?”

Jaggy: “Credibility, Conviction and Clarity. These help safety leaders to establish the safety process, improve it and implement it. Without Credibility, Conviction and Clarity it is not possible.”

Maggie: “How can they do this?”

Jaggy: “By demonstrating Visible Commitment. It means that whatever the safety leaders do it should be visible to everyone just like the quote of Mahatma Gandhi.”

Maggie: “Be the Change you wish to see in others is it not what he said?”

Jaggy: “Exactly Maggie. He or she will do this by 1. Telling the truth. 2. Work Hard. 3. Never go back on their word and 4. Listen to hear vs Listen to speak.”

Maggie: “Superb Jaggy but can you tell me the process of Safety Leadership.”

Jaggy: “The first is all about Policies, Procedures, System, Forms which is more a stage of Compliance. These are tasks which are transactional. They are needed to establish the rules. The stage is about Raising Awareness. The next stage is the Personal Approach where leaders discover and share other ways of operating. Telling people why we are here today. This stage is more of Relationship building. The next stage is Inspire others to behave safely which is the stage of Transformation. Here the leadership is an ongoing journey.”

Maggie: “WOW Jaggy! The job of a safety leader is really difficult. To get everyone on the same page is really difficult. But how does this apply to ESG.”

Jaggy: “ESG. Let us deal with them one by one. Environment does not only mean the general definition, but it also implies the place where we work or stay. Safety leadership ensures the environment is accident free which is ensuring no unsafe conditions. Social means the society or community. They can mean anything and everything. When safety is an integral part of workplaces, homes become safer, thereby creating an impact on the society to be safe. Safety becomes social and community oriented which leads to safety culture across the nation. Governance is more about creating increased visibility to safety and ensuring it is followed by all and not just a few. Being transparent is the key here. Ethics and values in are a part of governance.”

Maggie: “Thank you, Jaggy. I may not fully understand what you say but I can do relate with it. One last question. How do leaders make this happen?”

Jaggy: “Simple by teaching. Leaders are teachers and safety leaders are safety teachers. Learning and teaching never stop.”

Maggie: “Thank you so much. Meet you soon.”

Jaggy: “Bye for now.”

I trust the readers would have understood the conversation. Never mind if you don’t. All my readers are safety leaders. Let us all lead everyone to be safe at all times. Jaggy and Maggie will continue to help us do it at all times.   

Live Life – Save Life.

Seshadri Varadarajan.

PS. If you want to have Safety Leadership sessions for your team, please email your request to me at seshadri.v@ushafire.in or to S. Janaki janaki.s@ushafire.in.

ARE EMERGENCY RESPONSE TRAINERS TEACHERS TOO?

Life Saving Education, Live Life, Safety as a Responsibility, Teachers day, , , , , , ,

Happy Teachers Day to all my readers across the whole world. The 5th of September in India is celebrated as Teachers Day in honour of the birthday of Dr. Sarvappalli Radhakrishnan who rose from being a teacher and became the President of India. As Maggie and Jaggy are still on vacation and as such their conversations on safety are on hold. Then what to write? I just wanted to communicate to the world that Emergency Response Trainers (ERT) are teachers too.

As human beings how far have we come from the cavemen we were to what we are today? Through centuries of living, while all other creatures have shown marginal evolution, hasn’t human progress been dramatic? Who made this possible? THE TEACHERS!

How did the prophecies of enlightened masters, the logic of mathematicians, inventions and discoveries of scientists, the thoughts and ideas of philosophers reach the common man? THE TEACHERS!

Teaching is that profession that teaches all professions and we can never ever tell where their influence stops as they affect all eternity.

Emergency Response Trainers are teachers to their students and are members of emergency response profession where they apply their knowledge and skills on a daily basis. To do the same they need specialised knowledge, long and intense preparation. They need to maintain high standards of conduct and achievement and commit themselves to the higher value of providing public service. They have an obligation to their students, the organization they work for and to themselves. The work of ERT is brilliantly articulated by DR. Haim Ginott.

I’ve come to the frightening conclusion that I am the decisive element in the classroom.

It is my daily mood that makes the weather.

As a teacher I possess a tremendous power to make the child’s life miserable or joyous.

I can be a tool of torture or an instrument of inspiration.

I can humiliate or humor, hurt or heal.                      

Potent, poignant and profound words. An ERT has to teach in such a way the students need to act in an emergency situation to save lives. He or she becomes a motivator, demonstrator and a mentor at the same time. Overcoming fear is the prime objective of the ERT and to achieve the same is an awesome task. One wrong information, one small mistake and one momentary lapse of concentration and the results can lead to an accident which can be painful. In the words of my mentor Moeiz Ahmed who used to say “It is not important to teach how to operate a fire extinguisher but to teach how to operate them safely.” He also adds there is zero tolerance to errors in teaching safety.

The work of the ERT is difficult to measure as it has more intangibles than tangibles. The happiness for the ERT is when the process is implemented thereby improving safety all around and reducing accidents and life loss. They are the epitome of the maxim PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE.  

On this teachers day I salute all the teachers, mentors, coaches, healers and ERT for ensuring the evolution of humans all over the universe to become better version of themselves in all aspects of life. Let us all explore new technologies, new methods of teaching and make the world a safe place to live.

I also thank all my readers too who by virtue of you feedback have been my teachers on how to write better. Keep reading and let the constructive feedback keep flowing.

Live Life- Save Life.

Seshadri Varadarajan. 

THE WORLD NEEDS EMERGENCY RESPONSE TRAINERS.

Education, Fire & Life Safety Education, Innovation, Life Saving Education, Live Life, Safety, , , , , ,

Happy Independence to all my brothers and sisters of India. Let us celebrate the spirit of Independence in all splendor, fervor and vibration as we step forward into the 77th year. India to me has always been an emotion and a feeling which one can never really describe in words. Let us make our country India a great and safe nation by following safety at all times.

This will be the 5th year of writing blogs on my web site and I thank each and every reader who read them regularly and have made me improve every time by your critical assessment and by being lavish in your appreciation. I would have not come this far but for all of you. This year I will try to write more and the plan is to write at least 2 blogs a month.

My India Safe India will continue in the next blog as Jaggy and Maggie are busy elsewhere and will be back soon. In this blog I have decided to write about the need, of ERT- EMERGENCY RESPONSE TRAINERS and the impact they create to the society, country and the world in general. I dedicate this blog to my mentors Jagadish Adapa (JAGGY), Late Mr. Jayasheel Adapa and Late Mr. Moeiz Ahmed.

The world today is in a state of VUCA- Volatile, Uncertain, Complex and Ambiguous. The only thing that is certain in this world is SAFETY. Safety can keep us stable, certain, simple and clear in terms of living life happily and to the fullest. But the problem is everyone talks of safety, wants safety but are not sure how to do it and it is where ERT make a big impact. The task of an ERT is to simulate apparently ordinary people to unusual effort. The tough problem is not in identifying winners, it is in making winners out of them.  They achieve this objective in 4 ways.

  1. Explaining the concept.
  2. Show the trainees how to do it.
  3. Make them to do it.
  4. Reconfirm.

Whether it is using a fire extinguisher, giving CPR, conducting a HIRA, doing a TBT or a Gemba walk the trainer first explains the concept has to be explained in clear and simple terms, to the level of understanding of the trainees. This is done by using audio visual presentations, demonstrations, skits and even an element of drama. Only then the trainees would understand the concept. To meet this objective the trainer must provide information that is current, accurate and specific.

Once the concept is explained the ERT needs to show the trainees how to do it. The pre use inspection, the correct method of operation, precautions to be taken, safety, procedures to be adopted all have to done by the trainers themselves. This can be scary at times when fire is created, rescue on ladders and confined spaces are carried out. Though the demonstrations are done in controlled atmospheres there is always an element of risk involved.

Once the trainers have done their part, the trainees are asked to demonstrate whatever they saw and learnt. Easy to say but, difficult to do as the trainer has to be in complete command. One lapse of concentration and all hell will break loose. The accountability factor is to provide a safe training environment where safety policies and practices are adhered, to fulfil the duties of an incident safety officer and teaching safe operational practices.

Having taught the trainees practically the trainer needs to reconfirm what has been taught. These are done by using methods like repetition, questionnaires, and even assessments. Only then a training can be considered complete.

Apart from imparting knowledge the ERT have to identify gaps in safety and bring it to the notice of the respective organisations, he should be aware of local and international standards and ensure the teaching methods are to the standards.  The ERT is also obligated to act in an ethical manner at all times. He should also be a good role model and mentor for his trainees to emulate. The basic of being an ERT is to be a good communicator, present skills and knowledge in a positive way.

Emergency Response Trainers through their teaching create Emergency Responders who go a long way in preventing loss of life and reducing accidents. ERT help the society and the country and are always unsung heroes. They are never in the spotlight but their teaching helps in save lives during any emergency.

As an ERT myself, for the past 17 years and on this day of Indian Independence salute all the trainers all over the world who teach and train in emergency response. May this community keep growing and continue to inspire people to save lives.

Do post your comments as this helps the community of ERT Emergency Response Trainers.

Live Life- Save Life

Seshadri Varadarajan.

MY INDIA SAFE INDIA VII.

Education, Fire & Life Safety Education, Innovation, Safety as a Responsibility, , , , , , ,

Trust all my readers are safe and are on top of the world. The summer had been hot and it was certainly energy sapping. It says that we need to take care of our Planet better than what we are currently doing. Everyone has a role to play and safety professionals a greater role. Let us all together keep this planet of ours safe and sustainable for generations to come.

Continuing their conversation Maggie and Jaggy discuss the Gemba Walk to improve and implement safety in work places. Let us join and listen in.

Maggie: “Hello Jaggy!”

Jaggy: “Hello Maggie! Trust all is well with you.”

Maggie: “Yes Jaggy as usual on Top of the world.”

Jaggy: “Great to hear.”

Maggie: “In our last conversation you were talking about a Gemba walk right.”

Jaggy: “Yes I remember and now you want to know more about it.”

Maggie: “Absolutely!”

Jaggy: “To implement safety as a culture and to ensure all are on the same page certain systems have to be put in place. One such system is a Gemba Walk.”

Maggie: “Can you please explain more clearly?”

Jaggy: “First you need to understand what does Gemba mean?”

Maggie: “So what exactly does it mean?”

Jaggy: “Gemba in Japanese means real place, or the place where value is created. This actually means nothing but a work place be it a shop floor in a factory or any office for that matter.”

Maggie: “So in essence a Gemba walk means walk through the work place.”

Jaggy: “Yes that is correct. Walking through the workplace when everyone is working.”

Maggie: “But how does just walking about a work place or shop floor improve on the safety?”

Jaggy: “Gemba walks are not for safety alone but can be used in a number of ways. The walks when done with a purpose will not only increase productivity but can address a lot of other concerns too.”

Maggie: “Come to the point Jaggy! Let us talk only about Safety.”

Jaggy: “Gemba walks were developed in Toyota keeping view their policy of continuous improvement which in Japanese is called Kaizen.”

Maggie: “Sounds great. Even I have heard of Kaizen.”

Jaggy: “Safety Gemba walks have a 3 elements. 1. Go and See. 2. Ask questions. 3. Show respect.”

 Maggie: “Can you be more specific?”                

Jaggy: “The first thing any safety official will do is to go and see the place where work is being done. He will see whether the safety policy and compliances are being followed or not. He will observe if there are any violations, minor or major and make a note. 2. He or she will ask questions on the process, compliance and mistakes. Suggestions for improvement are also asked. 3. He or she will show respect by not insulting the employees at that place even if a violation is observed.”

Maggie: “How does this help?”

Jaggy: “This helps in 1. Compliance and standards are being followed. 2. Employees being a part of suggestions and improvements. 3. Correction of unsafe conditions on the spot. 4. Brain storming on how improvements can be made or maintaining the standards at all times. As the employees are involved throughout this helps the managements improve productivity as well as safety.”

Maggie: “Are there any checklists for the walks?”

Jaggy: “Yes there are checklists which are designed by the managements according to their standards and best work practice.”

Maggie: “What should be the frequency of such Gemba Walks?”

Jaggy: “The frequencies can be fixed. Walks can happen as per a fixed schedule or sometimes even impromptu. These walks are intended to catch people doing the right thing rather than the wrong ones.”

Maggie: “Thanks Jaggy on enlightening me. This was certainly a good discussion. We will catch up on more such safety aspects soon.”

Jaggy: “Sure Maggie stay safe, be safe.”

I would like to all my readers to share in the comments section whether Safety Gemba walks are done at your work place and when would you plan to do the same in your workplace. Please let me know how useful are all my blogs till date. Just stay safe and be safe till my next blog.

LIVE LIFE – SAVE LIFE.

Seshadri Varadarajan.

MY INDIA SAFE INDIA VI

Fire & Life Safety Education, Life Saving Education, Safety, Safety as a Responsibility, , , , , ,

Hello Readers! It has been a while since I had posted my last blog. Sometimes Life throws you into a vortex and it takes time for you to come out of it. March was hectic with the training schedules and travel, April gave me a scare and a shock. Scare on the account of an unexpected health issue, which was immediately followed by the shock of the untimely passing away of my mentor Mr. Jayasheel Adapa, on whom I had written my blogs “Innovate or Evaporate” in 2 parts in 2020. Jayasheel Adapa is the younger brother of our main character Jaggy aka Mr. Jagadish Adapa. Both the incidents had their effect on me and the recovery process took its own time.

The other challenge I was grappling with was the eternal question -what to write? After serious contemplation, I decided to continue with my series “My India -Safe India” for this and the next post; and then move on to another topic.

Maggie and Jaggy continue their conversation on OUR AIM – ZERO HARM.

Maggie: “Hello Jaggy! Long time, no see.”

Jaggy: “Yes Maggie, had been busy in March and had a tough April.”

Maggie: “Tough month of April!!!! What happened?”

Jaggy: “The first month of the new financial year is always tough. New plans, new targets and the annual conference.”  

Maggie: “Yes, it is always tough.”  

Maggie: “Jaggy, Now that we have met, can I ask you something?”

Jaggy: “Go right ahead. You don’t need my permission.”

Maggie: “Last time we had discussed the theme for the National Safety Week which was “Our Aim- Zero Harm”. How do we achieve that?”

Jaggy: “There are 2 ways in which we can do that. (1). TBT and (2). Gemba Walk.”

Maggie: “TBT and Gemba Walk? I am just perplexed.”

Jaggy: “These are jargons used by safety professionals all over the world. TBT stands for ‘Tool Box Talk’. Gemba walk is a Japanese concept called ‘Safety walk.’”

Maggie: “Can you explain both of them, in your ‘unique’ style?”

Jaggy: “Let start with the Tool Box Talk (TBT). A TBT is an informal safety meeting that is a part of the organization’s safety culture. It is a meeting which is conducted just before the starting of a job or a shift in a work place like a factory or site.”

Maggie: “Oh I see! What do they discuss in the TBT?”

Jaggy: “The discussion revolves round the work or task for the day, followed by the HIRA to be done and of course the reporting and analysis of any incidents the previous day. Sometimes it is just a topic on safety.”

Maggie: “Hey, that is another acronym that you just tossed into the mix: HIRA. Now, what is this one?”

Jaggy: “HIRA is Hazard Identification Risk Assessment. Do you not remember?”   

Maggie: “Sorry Jaggy! It slipped out of my mind. How long do these meetings last?”

Jaggy: “The meetings are brief, lasting not more than 30 minutes. They may go on for even longer if there were any incidents.”

Maggie: “What is achieved in the TBT?”

Jaggy: “A reminder about keeping the work place safe, not taking any undue risks, stopping the work if there are unsafe conditions etc.”

“The objective is to ensure the work planned is done without any harm to anyone. Our AIM- Zero HARM.”

Maggie: “Who conducts and leads the talks?”

Jaggy: “Good question. Usually the Safety executives lead it but anyone can lead the talks. Visualize the huddle in football or hockey or cricket or before any game starts. In the huddle, any player can give a pep talk.”

Maggie: “What if there are no incidents or accidents to discuss?”

Jaggy: “The meeting is used for a pep talk on safety, sharing safety practices observed or even any news of incidents or accidents elsewhere.”

Maggie: “Tool Box Talk seems to be an excellent way to start the day at work. Do different work places have different names for TBT?”

Jaggy: “Yes, though the nomenclature differs. They are called Safety talks or Morning Safety Meeting or something catchy which people love.”

Maggie: “Thank you Jaggy. You said something called Gemba Walk. What is that?”

Jaggy: “Gemba Walk is a walkthrough done by the safety executives when the actual work is being done.”

Maggie: “Can you elaborate?”

Jaggy: “Not today, Maggie. Too much of information is difficult to absorb for anyone.”

Maggie: “Ok. Take care of yourself.”

Jaggy: “You too stay safe and be safe.”

A Tool Box Talk is a good way to start the day. People and organizations who believe in safety as a Core Value treat these talks with a lot of respect and seriousness. It is never too late to have TBT or safety talks in your work places. Let us make it a habit as habits always tend to remain with us for a long time.

Keep reading, keep enjoying life. More in my upcoming blogs.

Live Life – Save Life!

Seshadri Varadarajan.  

MY INDIA – SAFE INDIA V

Life Saving Education, Safety, Safety as a Responsibility, , , , , , , ,

The 4th of March is celebrated as National Safety Day across India. It was on this day 52 years ago the National Safety Council was established and the day is celebrated as National Safety day. Almost all the industries and establishments across India celebrate the entire week. Competitions are conducted on safety in different ways like making posters, writing slogans, and of course the safety pledge is administered. Every year there is a theme which is given and this year the theme is OUR AIM – ZERO HARM. Coincidentally it was the same Maggie and Jaggy were discussing. Zero Incidents. In this conversation they will discuss the theme of the National Safety day. Let us follow the conversation.

Maggie: “Hello Jaggy trust you are on top of the world.”

Jaggy: “Yes Maggie. The month of March is a busy one for all trainers in Emergency Response.”  

Maggie: “Why March only?”  

Jaggy: “March being safety month that’s why.”

Maggie: “Yes you are correct. We are celebrating Safety week.” 

Jaggy: “That is great Maggie.” 

Maggie: “The theme of the Safety day OUR AIM- ZERO HARM, I just could not fathom the meaning behind it.”  

Jaggy: “The theme is quite simple. It matches with the zero accidents theme your workplace has taken up.”  

Maggie: “Oh! A great coincidence but how?”

Jaggy: “The message is very clear. It says we will aim to create a culture, or habits that will not cause harm to anything in the world what we live in.”  

Maggie: “I don’t quite follow you.”  

Jaggy: “When we say no harm to anything it means, People, Environment and Property.”  

Maggie: “I can understand harm to people and environment but property?”

Jaggy: “Yes property too. There are many things and equipment which help us in day to day life. They too must not be damaged is it not?”

Maggie: “But use of these things can cause harm to our health also.”

Jaggy: “Yes to an extent. Only when you use the things without any control. The theme says that too. Limit use of devices that can harm your health.”  

Maggie: “Now I understand. So what should one do, to achieve the aim no harm.”

Jaggy: “To do so first and foremost, one needs to follow safety rules at all times. No violation is permitted. Second, ensure housekeeping is perfect whether at home or the work place. Third, ensure the environment around you is clean and not harmful. Fourth, ensure safety becomes an attitude with everyone around you.”  

Maggie: “Will it help?”

Jaggy: “Yes, as long as you reiterate to everyone around you. Set a standard and then everything falls into place.”

Maggie: “Ok. Does no harm involve animals and plants too?”

Jaggy: “Definitely! When harm is caused to the environment it affects them too.”  

Maggie: “Can you explain better?”

Jaggy: “In this world of ours, there are 80 million living species. If all the earth worms of the world, become extinct the world, will be wiped out in 13 years. If all the insects, become extinct the world, will end in 3 to 5 years.”  

Maggie: “Oh! What if humans become Extinct?”

Jaggy: “If you ask me, the world, will simply be better than what it was before. Everything has a place in this universe by design. When the design is disturbed, then the balance collapses. Same with safety. It is upon us to ensure the design is not disturbed. Our Aim- Zero Harm.”  

Let all my readers wherever you are in the world, the theme of the National Safety day of India holds true. By aiming to cause no harm, safety standards can really be improved. Let us all strive for that.  

Keep the comments flowing, and do not hesitate to correct me if you want to. Always open to suggestions for improvement.

Stay safe and be safe.

Live Life – Save Life.

Seshadri Varadarajan.

MY INDIA SAFE INDIA IV.

Education, Life Saving Education, Safety, Safety as a Responsibility, , , , , , ,

Happy New Year to all my readers and to everyone across the world. Trust all are Safe and living up your life. My resolution for this year is to make it the BEST YEAR OF MY LIFE. I do not know how to do it but will make it happen. I truly appreciate all who have read my last blog on HIRA and expressed their happiness over it. I was overwhelmed with the response I have received for the same. Continuing the conversation, Maggie and Jaggy take it a step forward by discussing about the ‘Incident, Accident and Disaster’. Let us enjoy the conversation.

Maggie: “Happy New Year Jaggy.”

Jaggy: “Wish you too the same Maggie. Trust all is well with you.”

Maggie: “Yes Jaggy, everything is just great and all the conversations with you, have been useful to me.”

Jaggy: “Thanks for the good wishes. The pleasure is always mine.”

Maggie: “One of the resolutions that my organisation has taken for this year is ZERO ACCIDENTS. I was very happy about it but did not know how we are going to achieve it.”

Jaggy: “That’s a great resolution to start the year. It can be achieved if you can minimize the incidents.”

Maggie: “Minimize incidents? Can you clarify the same?”

Jaggy: “Yes Maggie. It is quite simple. Every accident is preceded by an incident. If incidents are avoided, then accidents too can be prevented.”

Maggie: “Can you be more specific?”

Jaggy: “Sure. An incident is any occurrence, situation or happening which can result in injuries or even cause death. In an incident, a person may not necessarily be injured or hurt. In common language, it is termed as a ‘Near Miss’ or ‘Just Miss’.”

Maggie: “Examples please.”

Jaggy: “I will give them once I explain an Accident. An accident is an unexpected event or occurrence, in which a person is either hurt, or in a fatal state. The injury could even be major. For one accident to happen many incidents have to occur.”

Maggie: “You mean to say for one accident to occur we need many incidents to happen. Can you tell me the exact difference?”

Jaggy: “Slipping on a wet floor is an incident, falling is an accident. An object falling near you is an incident, falling on you is an accident. Stopping a vehicle suddenly is an incident, hitting the other vehicle is an accident. There are many examples and you are intelligent enough to understand.”

Maggie: “So how do we prevent accidents?”

Jaggy: “Every accident is preventable if all the incidents are reported. Every incident not reported can turn into an accident.”

Maggie: “You mean to say that even if I slip on a floor, I report it.”

Jaggy: “Yes, as it helps another person avoid falling. It is the old Banana skin on the floor story. There are people who on seeing the skin remove it, and put it in the trash can. Some others see it and just walk by it doing nothing. The attitude of doing nothing after seeing it can result in an accident.”

Maggie: “Now I understand. Our Safety Manager has given us formats to report the same. He calls it a Near Miss report and there are going to be rewards for people who report.”

Jaggy: “Yes exactly. He seems to know his responsibility and may there be many like him in all work places.”

Maggie: “Understood. Then what is a Disaster?”

Jaggy: “A disaster is nothing but the hardships created due to the accidents that occur. It may involve multiple loss of life, or even huge damage to property. That is why the damage caused by natural events like Earthquakes, floods are known as Natural Disasters.”

Maggie: “Oh now I understand.”

Jaggy: “As of now, look out and report the incidents so that accidents can be avoided. It is a responsibility for all.”

Jaggy and Maggie will be continuing to enlighten all of us with their conversations. Keep watching for the updates. As I had said earlier, accidents can be prevented if each one of us act responsibly to report any incidents. Let us aim for ZERO INCIDENTS so that accidents will never occur. Let us make incident or near miss reporting as one of the resolutions of the year.

Stay safe and be safe. Live Life Save Life.

Seshadri Varadarajan.

MY INDIA SAFE INDIA III.

Life Saving Education, Safety, Safety as a Responsibility, , , , , ,

Trust all my readers are safe and happy. It has been sometime since I had last posted. Felt it is time to continue the series of conversations Jaggy and Maggie are having with related to Safety. In this blog too they will be discussing a very crucial element to safety which is Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (HIRA). HIRA applies everywhere. Let us understand this through the conversation.

Jaggy: “Hello Maggie!”

Maggie: “Hi! Jaggy. It has been more than a month since we last met.”  

Jaggy: “Yes Maggie. Was busy with my training activities.”

Maggie: “One always needs to be busy. Let us continue the conversation from where we left it.”

Jaggy: “Sure! I had told you that one should do a HIRA which is the foundation of Safety.”  

Maggie: “HIRA! The only HIRA I know is called a Diamond in Hindi.”    

Jaggy: “Spoken like a lady. Of course diamonds are the best friends of ladies. But here HIRA stands for Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment.”  

Maggie: “Phew! Never knew it. Can you explain?”

Jaggy: “Before starting any work, one should always know the Hazards present in the place where we work.”

Maggie: “Can you explain, what is a hazard?”

Jaggy: “To put it simply a Hazard means a Danger.”

Maggie: “I don’t get it.”

Jaggy: “A hazard is any event, situation, environment, activity, substance that can potentially cause an injury or illness to anyone is defined as a hazard by many international standards.”

Maggie: “Now I get it. It is simply a clear and present danger.”  

Jaggy: “Good Maggie now you are understanding definitions too.”

Maggie: “Then what is a Risk?”  

Jaggy: “Risk is a loss, injury, damage or harm caused due to the hazard.”

  • HAZARD
  • RISK

Maggie: “Could you explain in a more easy way please?”

Jaggy: “Knowing there is a danger and playing with it is a Risk.”

Maggie: “Explain with examples please.”         

Jaggy: “Riding a two wheeler on a good road is a hazard, riding without a Helmet is a Risk. LPG Gas cylinder in a home is a hazard, fiddling with it is a Risk. A Batsman facing a fast bowler in Cricket with protection is a hazard, without it is a Risk. Even investing in finance schemes are a risk if you don’t read the offer document carefully.”  

Maggie: “There seem to be hazards everywhere. What should I do?”

Jaggy: “Simple check out the hazard and assess the risk involved while working. Every hazard cannot be a risk at all times.”  

Maggie: “You are saying knowing the hazards and assessing risk will help in reducing injuries and accidents.”   

Jaggy: “Yes. Let me narrate a story to explain the same. In the epic Mahabharatha, the Kauravas presented the Pandavas a palace to live in. The Pandavas were happy to receive it but had the information it could be a trap. When they went into the palace the Pandavas on inspecting the interior of the palace they found it was made of wax a material which is highly flammable. They realised it was a trap to burn them alive. So they dug an underground tunnel and escaped. They had actually done a HIRA and initiated the appropriate control measures.”     

Maggie: “Wow! Glad to know even in those days they did that! But I did not understand, what are Control Measures?”  

Jaggy: “It is a process adopted to take care of the hazards and risk as every hazard can become a Risk at some point of time if not taken care of.”  

Maggie: “Oh I see! Tell me about it in our next conversation.” Jaggy: “It will be a pleasure of mine. Stay Safe and be safe.”  

Hazard identification Risk Assessments help in reducing accidents to a great extent. Safety professionals always live by HIRA. They know that if a HIRA is done properly, damages to property and life loss can be minimised. Problems cannot be eliminated but certainly can be minimised.  When kings and emperors of the yore did that, why not we? Till my next blog, I pledge to remain safe and do my HIRA to keep India Safe.  

Seshadri Varadarajan.  

MY INDIA SAFE INDIA II.

Fire & Life Safety Education, Life Saving Education, Safety as a Responsibility, , , , , ,

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.”

  • A BAD ROAD
  • POOR HOUSEKEEPING

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.”

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.