Safety: It’s an attitude worth adopting Published July 20, 2012 By 72nd Air Base Wing Safety Office TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Every day we "do things." We get dressed and head to breakfast. We get in our vehicle of choice and go to work. We turn wrenches, push paper, flip burgers, put gas in jets or move cargo. Every day, when we "do things," we are exposed to hazards in our environment. How we work and survive within the environment when we "do things" among hazards we know exist every day is one measure of how safe a person you are. Weekends and holidays entice us to "do things" outside our normal comfort zone, perhaps outside our capabilities at times. This is when safe practices become extremely important. Before you begin any activity you are unfamiliar with or just don't do often, spend the time to review the suggested safety procedures. They ARE suggested, but experts in whatever activity you have chosen make those suggestions and the reason they are experts is because they are still alive and have learned many of the lessons the hard way. After reviewing the safety practices thoroughly, put them into action as you enjoy your activity. You've heard the term "attitude is everything." That's especially true for safety. The attitude you display concerning incidents or accidents you experience says a lot about how you deal with other situations. Taking precautions for whatever activity you're doing shows that you care about yourself and others. Wearing the right protective gear, following safe practices when you "do things" all make you the kind of person people respect and admire. When you "do things" the attitude you display toward safety reflects how you feel about yourself, the people who work for you as well as those you work for, and your family and friends. Every activity has precautions that you need to be aware of. Do you keep your garage/storage floor clean and free of spills that could cause a fall? Do you wear a helmet when you ride a bicycle? Do you put on a life jacket when you get in a boat? Do you spend the time needed to understand the hazards of the activity you are about to undertake? It's your responsibility to know the requirements for your activities and to wear the proper protective equipment, follow proper procedures and not take unnecessary risks. Doing the right thing, displaying the right attitude toward safety, not only shows you care about preserving yourself, it shows you care about others. Friends, family, and co-workers see you or hear about you "doing the right thing", which sets a standard they are likely to follow! This works in ALL areas; from on-duty following of tech orders, wearing prescribed Personal Protective Equipment and using Risk Management to fully think through the risks of a new or changed process; to off-duty use of seatbelts and motorcycle helmets, wearing ankle braces when you play that pick-up game of basketball and assessing the risks involved with skydiving and making an informed decision as to whether you really want to leave the safety of a perfectly good airplane. The ball is in your court: show the "attitude" that counts!