Scenarios
Employee A was assigned to take in items at the donation door and had to use a pair of scissors to open a bag. As the employee was walking to the dumpster to throw the bag away, the employee had an open pair of scissors in their hand and accidentally ran into Employee B. As a result, Employee B received a cut on their finger from the scissors. How could this accident have been prevented?
Employee A should have closed the scissors and put them down before taking the trash to the dumpster.
Employee A used a box cutter to cut open a bag of donations. Since the tool was not needed to open the bag, what could happen as a result?
Cuts to hands, fingers, or other body parts in the path
Myth or reality: Workplaces are naturally safe
Myth: Hazards exist in any workplace-including offices and unexpected operational failures.
Employee A was opening a box with a box cutter and cut towards themselves. As a result, Employee A sustained a hand injury. What should Employee A have done differently to prevent injury in the first place?
The employee should wear cut-resistant gloves and should have cut the box away from their body.
Employee A was not wearing gloves when cleaning up a chemical spill. As a result, their hands were exposed to the harsh chemicals. What could happen?
Potential organ damage, secondary contamination to face, eyes, and mouth, severe skin burns, cracking, itching, allergies, etc.,
Myth: It's everyone's job.
Employee A just opened a box and left the open box cutter on the stand where donor door greeters track donations. Employee A stepped away from their work area and Employee B covered while Employee A was gone. While Employee B was covering, Employee B accidentally touched the sharp blade on the box cutter and cut their finger. What should employee A have done differently to prevent injury to employee B?
Employee A should have closed the box cutter and put it away.
Employee A left a clothing rack in the middle of the aisle where customers were shopping. What are some potential consequences?
Trip and fall incidents, severe bruising, cuts, falls, etc.,
Myth or reality: You should report a hazard even if you think someone has already reported it.
Reality: It is better to be safe than sorry.
Employee A works at the donation door and just opened a box with a box cutter. Employee A walked around to the hard goods station with the open box cutter in their hand. When Employee A walked around, another employee came up to Employee A. Employee A had the box cutter open and ran into Employee B. As a result, Employee B sustained a hand injury. What should employee A have done differently to prevent injury to employee B?
Employee A should not have walked around with the open box cutter. They should have put it in a safe place and closed the box cutter before leaving their station.
Employee A walks around with their water bottle full and open. What potential hazards could occur?
Slip and fall incidents
Myth or reality: If you see someone doing something unsafe, you should not approach them about it.
Employee B was handed an open box cutter from Employee A. Employee B grabbed the side with the blade and, as a result, sustained a hand injury. What should both Employee A and B have done differently to change the outcome?
Employee A should have closed the blade and Employee B should have grabbed the box cutter on the side opposite the blade.
Employee A leaves a merchandise rack in front of the exit sign. While this happens, there is an active fire in the building. Why would the merchandise rack be a safety hazard?
It would cause people to lose time getting out during an emergency, potentially increasing the risk of death or fire-related hospitalizations.
Myth or reality: If you think something is unsafe, you should not do it.
Reality: Better to be safe than sorry