March 29 2021
By: Terry L. Mathis
Why do we try to reduce at-risk behaviors rather than promoting and increasing safe behaviors? I think it is because we do not measure safety success; we measure safety failures. We define safety success as failing less. By this thinking, safety is a vacuum in which we have sucked out all risks. It is a false vision of safety. 
Safety is full or risks, but it is also full of addressing those risks. Excellent safety is full of risk awareness, full of the knowledge of precautions to address the risks, and full of meticulous taking of those precautions.
If we would think of making our safety program full rather than making our risk program empty, we would have greater and more sustainable success.
Terry Mathis, Founder and retired CEO of ProAct Safety, has served as a consultant and advisor for top organizations the world over. A respected strategist and thought leader, Terry has authored five books, numerous articles, videos and blogs, and is known for his dynamic and engaging presentations. EHS Today has named him one of the '50 People Who Most Influenced EHS' four consecutive times. Business leaders and safety professionals seek Terry's practical insight and unique ability to introduce new perspectives that lead to real change.
