November 29 2015
By: Terry L. Mathis
Hazard awareness has always been an important part of safety. Identifying and addressing dangers in the workplace is an important skill for both safety managers and workers. We may well be entering into a world condition that will require us to consider new potential dangers everywhere we go. Terrorism is a threat that is spreading from the world's hotspots to previously quiet communities and neighborhoods. The danger of local cells and copy-cat followers of terrorist groups targeting what they consider soft targets may become commonplace.
The same skills we have used in the workplace can help us meet this new threat. We need to become aware of the potential dangers and methods used so we can spot them as soon as possible. Everyone needs to become familiar with the tactics and methods the terrorists are using so we can spot them quickly. Overloading the capacity of law enforcement seems to be one of the terrorist's new strategies, so citizen recognition and response is going to become more critical.
The skills we have developed at work may form the foundation for the skills we need to keep ourselves and our families safe every day. This should be an added incentive to become even more excellent at safety.
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.