Making the decision to follow every single safety rule or procedure does not come naturally to us. We constantly have to work towards making the right decisions every single day. Many times, individuals find ways to rationalize not working safely. It is important for each worker to recognize this error trap and address it when it arises.

Why We Rationalize Unsafe Choices

For the most part, we all know what the right choice is when it comes to safety during a specific work task. Safety trainings, policies, procedures, labels, etc., all communicate what needs to be done to mitigate hazards and work safely. The problem is that many factors affect whether or not we want to make the right decisions in a given moment. A few of these factors include:

• Time Pressure: Cutting corners due to a time crunch can only result in problems. This is when mistakes are made and things can go wrong. All safety rules and regulations are put in place for a reason and should always be fully followed.
• Lack of Supervision: When supervisors, managers, or the person in charge are not around, people may find it acceptable to cut corners. This is a significant mistake. Whether your supervisor is around or not, all safety rules and precautions should be followed.
• Lack of Enforcement of Rules: In a job you have worked on for a long time, it becomes easy to relax on protocols and regulations. You may feel comfortable on the job and think you know what you're doing. However, if your supervisor is not enforcing the rules, it does not mean it is okay to break them.
• Energy Levels: Adequate rest is a problem for many people with busy schedules. When tired or worn out at work, many use this as an excuse to be lazy. Forgetting steps or skipping them due to not wanting to backtrack is unacceptable. Safety gear needs to be worn, and all steps should always be done properly.
• Mood: Everyone experiences different moods, which can affect job performance. Feeling unproductive or off one day is not a reason to cut corners and use unsafe practices. It could compromise the safety of yourself and those around you.

Individuals facing one or more of these factors may rationalize why a certain safety rule does not need to be followed. For example, “I forgot my fall protection, but it will only take a minute to go up and right back down, so I will be fine.” We have all rationalized poor choices—whether it was choosing not to wear fall protection or rationalizing hitting snooze seven times before getting out of bed.

“It is the Normal Thing to Do”

When others around you are not making the right choices regarding safety, it becomes the “normal” thing to do, despite not being the correct thing to do. When the norm is working unsafely, it makes it difficult for even those who want to work safely to do so. Do not rely on a supervisor or safety person to tell you to do the right thing. Make the choice to do what is right, despite what others may be doing.

Summary

Recognize when you are falling into the trap of rationalizing a poor decision, whether in your personal life or while on the job. Fight the urge to make the easy decision. Be a worker who follows the rules and help reinforce a norm of adhering to safe work practices and procedures.

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