7.1 The importance of acting responsibly
7.1.3 Injury
1 This is probably the main reason whilst using equipment, especially mechanical equipment (often termed machinery) because we don’t want to hurt ourselves whilst using it. In addition, we do not want to injure anybody else through unsafe and irresponsible use.
What is the name of the common process used to help reduce injuries from happening?
2 Other reasons for acting responsibly are that we don’t want to damage the equipment or damage something (for example, a fence, wooden structure, windows on buildings, parked cars etc.) with the equipment because this can often result in expensive repair or replacements being required.
3 Other costs that relate to injuries, whether to the operative or someone else, might be requirements to pay compensation or legal costs, a subsequent increase in insurance costs, damage to an organisation’s reputation, or even worse, a criminal conviction.
4 However, there should be no need for any of this to happen, just carry out work activities in a responsible and safe way. It’s quite simple really, but how many times do we hear of people being complacent and taking a short cut and taking a riskier course of action to get something done - this only increases the chance of an accident happening, so don’t do it.
5 We sometimes forget that there is a legal requirement for both employer and employee (and this includes volunteers) to act responsibly when carrying out and planning maintenance activities.