‘Mindful’ Health & Safety Culture: Mindfulness

When something seems “off”…

It is also especially important that workers identify and react to any off-normal situation. Recognize that a common denominator of many accident scenarios is “a little something out of whack.” Whenever such a circumstance occurs, stop action, step back, communicate and remain especially mindful and on the alert. Off-normal conditions should make all the sensors come out.

As much as habit is “the great flywheel of society” as the philosopher and pioneer psychologist William James said over a century ago, it also can be the enemy of safe work. Mindfulness must be a central concept that safety professionals teach and live.