Safety violations are inevitable in the workplace. Workers commit violations; safety violations are deliberate acts. They intentionally break the rules, knowing it is the wrong thing to do. In the workplace, safety violations can lead to accidents, and when an accident happens, it doesn’t do anyone any good; instead, it results in loss of lives and properties, damage to the organization’s reputation, and legal fines.
These are three safety violations every safety officer should know about.
1. Routine Violations.
This type of safety violation is where a worker breaks a rule as a matter of custom and practice. For example, a worker enters a construction site without wearing a safety boot. It is not that they did not know that a safety boot was needed, but they deliberately decided not to wear it. So it’s an intentional act. This particular practice may be routine for that worker. Most of the time, routine violations are common in organizations with a poor safety culture.
Another example of a routine violation is when a worker decides not to wear a safety helmet in a safety helmet area. Not because they don’t know it is mandatory but because they choose not to wear it out of an intentional act. So, it is a deliberate act of non-compliance.
2.Situational Violations.
This type of violation involves breaking a rule because of pressure from work. When a worker is given a target to meet up with, and because of the deadline, the worker may choose to follow a shortcut because he feels the shortcut is faster for him. For example, a worker is meant to work at a height of 4 m to change equipment. Working at that height would require setting a scaffold, which will take time; the worker may use an extension ladder instead of the scaffold. Situational violations are common in organizations where there are good standards, but workers priorities are often confused.
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3.Exceptional Violations.
There is a rule-breaking in this kind of violation due to extreme circumstances. Exceptional violations can result from the unavailability of the right equipment needed to carry out an activity, so the available equipment is deployed. For example, a worker uses a forklift to lift a load heavier than the capacity. This is the only available forklift in place, and there is a need to lift that load because a given worker is trapped under that load. However, exceptional violations are rare and happen when things are wrong in the workplace.
Onyeka Emma is a QHSE Professional with more than 10 years of experience in occupational health and safety, which spans many industries such as construction, beverage, oil and gas, etc. He has many health and safety certifications, including NEBOSH IGC, ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015, and ISO 45001:2018 Lead auditor certificate. A member of IOSH, ISPON, and Nigeria Red Cross Society. He is interested in business, entrepreneurship, Speaking, and motivating people to do better for themselves. He enjoys leisure with a good motivational book.
