Work Safe - Play Safe

Wow, how time flies! It seems like just yesterday that we were welcoming students back for a new school year. And now, we're getting ready to say good luck and good bye to our graduating class and wishing everyone a "Happy Summer!"

Summer coming brings to the forefront my personal tag-line "Work Safe Play Safe." As we wind down the school year most of us are thinking how we might spend the summer months. (I say "most" because some of us will continue through the daily grind of the work-day, while sprinkling copious amounts of vacation time into our schedules.) But for students and many school employees, June to August is a time for sun and fun. And with all that extra curricular activity going on, some of us tend to forget safety while we play.

It's bad enough when an employee is injured on the job. We experience not only the direct costs of the injury, but also the indirect costs of replacing the injured worker, training new people, increased insurance rates and the like. Likewise, when an employee is injured off the job, we experience the same indirect losses of having to replace and retrain. Most of the time when we read in the newspaper that an individual has been injured in an accident, on the playing field or in the water, while recreating during off time, we seldom think about the loss that that individual's employer has also incurred. A lost employee is a loss to the organization, regardless of whether the loss occurs on the job or off.

It's very important, that just as we follow the rules for safe conduct on the job, we should know and follow safety rules for our recreational activities. Most of the activities that we do for enjoyment have rules and sometimes equipment meant to keep us safe. Helmets and pads, and even in some instances special clothing help to make sports and leisure time safer. Of course, we can only be safe if we know the rules and use the safety equipment. Before undertaking a new activity, we should always learn the rules of safety and determine what special equipment is needed to keep us in the game. Summer activities can be especially dangerous and it is imperative that participants be equipped and knowledgeable. Work safe! Play safe!

For Work Safe Play Safe promotional materials click here.