When you think about workplace safety, you may immediately think of planning large events like fire drills or conducting safety training. However, many accidents result from minor oversights rather than significant incidents. Safety often relies on the small, yet crucial, actions that are performed consistently. These are known as micro habits, which are small, repeated behaviours that become second nature. Today, we want to delve deeper into these micro habits and share examples that can enhance safety in the workplace.
Small Actions Matter
Micro habits are helpful as they are easily digestible and can be remembered by simple repetition. Just like you brush your teeth in the morning, these habits are created over time and become integrated into your everyday life. Micro habits help reduce risk without feeling like you are doing extra work, while also contributing to a strong safety culture in the workplace.
Boosting Safety with Micro Habits
Here are some examples of micro habits that you can incorporate into your routine to help increase safety in your day-to-day operations:
Pause before lifting: Taking a moment before you pick something up, no matter its size, helps ensure you take the proper steps to avoid injury. Pause and consider the weight of the object, your stance and the proper technique to protect yourself. This simple habit could greatly influence whether this action is performed correctly.
Wipe up spills: If you see something, do something. Rather than ignoring a spill, or expecting someone else to clean it up, do it yourself. This not only ensures the safety of yourself and others but instils a strong safety culture of leading by example.
Check in with yourself: Before starting a shift, take a moment to do a brief self-assessment. Ask yourself how you are feeling, both mentally and physically. By recognizing whether you’re tired, or if a particular muscle is sore, for example, can help you understand your strengths and limitations. This will reduce mistakes that can be made due to exhaustion or injury.
Clean up after yourself: When you have completed a task, big or small, always clean up after yourself. This will prevent future hazards that can be caused from debris, tools or a leftover mess.
Ask questions: Don’t be afraid to ask questions to clarify expectations before starting a task. Accidents and injuries often occur due to lack of communication, especially when completing a shared task or when introducing a new procedure.
Tips to build micro habits:
- Start with one at a time
- Be consistent
- Encourage others
- Practice patience
- Acknowledge your success
- Be flexible
While it’s commonly believed that it takes 21 days to build a habit, other research suggests that it can take anywhere from 18-254 days. Therefore, some might stick quicker than others.
Remember! It’s progress over perfection!
Micro habits play a crucial role in maintaining workplace safety, and you probably have more than you realize. Small, consistent actions build up over time, leading to significant improvements in safety. So, take a moment to reflect on your work environment and explore how starting small can create a major impact.