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700 Introduction to Safety Management
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Importance of Education

Earlier we mentioned that instruction explains why safety is important. In safety and health, understanding the importance of safety can be life-saving.

Employees must know why safety is important.

By far, the most common reason workers do not follow safety rules (or any rule) is that they don't understand why doing so is important. They don't understand the consequences.

"For example, when you were first hired, your company likely provided a list of safety rules for you to read. Was each rule explained to you, along with its importance? Perhaps not. (Of course, there are exceptions, and if you're one of them, kudos to you!) If you've only been given a list of rules without explanations, consider suggesting the addition of short paragraphs that clarify why each rule is crucial. Never assume the importance is self-explanatory.

If your company attempts to institute change in any part of the safety and health program (or any other program), the effort will fail if the company only trains people how to change without educating in such a way that not only informs, but also motivates and persuades workers that the change is necessary and in everyone's' best interest.

The number one reason employees don't follow safety rules is that they don't know why they are important!

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

7-6. What is the most common reason workers fail to follow safety rules at work?