3 Steps to Efficiently Cut the Accident Rate

As careful as we try to be, often we come across a title in the newspaper or hear from the neighbors that a farmer, a farmhand, or a child got injured, or worse. While we can attribute many disasters to a higher power, the fact of the matter is that many of the accidents are preventable. Here are three steps you can take to ensure that you and your loved ones stay safe.

1. Watch Your Step

It seems like a cliché, but there’s a reason for it. Always be aware of your surroundings. Be careful where you’re going. If there’s been recent construction, make sure there are no holes or tools on the ground, or any heavy objects above that could land on top of you.

Don’t try to multitask while operating dangerous machinery. Don’t turn your back on a horse or a bull that’s mean. Don’t tread on high places without a safety rail, or belt. The fall could kill or maim you.

2. Keep Your Equipment Clean and in Its Proper Place

This is important for two reasons. Firstly, pieces of clean equipment don’t tend to fly off and hit somebody when they break due to the lack of maintenance or get stuck until you try to clear out the obstruction and lose your arm in the process. Secondly, it goes well with the first step. Don’t leave your tools lying around. Someone might trip over them.

3. Follow the Proper Procedure

We all know someone like this. There are a ton of warnings, safety precautions, and pictures of people on fire on the packaging, but, somehow, our friend thinks that the rules don’t apply to them. To be fair, sometimes it’s more than tempting to take a shortcut, and save a few minutes and hours if you forego some boring safety procedures. But, here’s the kicker – those boring procedures could save you a limb, or even your life. Don’t be the guy that lights up a cigarette at a gas station. Also, stop him if you see him.

A friend of mine lost a thumb while chopping wood because he was distracted. That was a relatively minor accident, but one with permanent consequences. If you want more gruesome examples on all of the things that could go wrong, read up on Darwin Awards. There are some interesting stories there. Stay safe.