When we were very young, most of us were constantly asking questions. Of course, our parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles would patiently explain as best they could, sometimes over and over. It was how we learned things at an early age.
But as we grew into teenagers, we tended to ask fewer questions. Maybe that was because pride made us overly concerned about what other people would think if we asked too many questions. Maybe it was because we didn’t want to be perceived as foolish if we asked something that others thought was a “stupid question.” Maybe insecurity caused us to look at our peers, and since they were not asking questions, we figured there was no need for us to ask questions either. Or maybe was because of some mysterious hormone that makes teenagers think that they know everything already.
Whatever the reason that many young men and women elect to stop asking questions, the unfortunate reality is that many of them enter the workforce with that mindset. Statistics show that younger workers are injured on the job at a disproportionately higher rate than older workers. Could it be that these young workers were too embarrassed to ask how to do the task safely?
If you are a young worker or even a more seasoned worker who is relatively new to the specific task you are being asked to perform, don’t be shy. Ask questions! It’s not only important that you know what is expected of you, but you also need to understand the hazards and how to best protect yourself from those hazards. It is not sufficient to look around you and quietly mimic what you see others doing. Years of doing the same task may have made them complacent and using them as your example is a recipe for an accident. Again, don’t be shy. Ask questions!
Those who are more experienced, understand that younger workers and workers who are asked to perform tasks with which they have little or no experience may be reluctant to ask questions because they don’t want to appear foolish. Therefore, if you are an experienced employee and are working with a less experienced employee, do your best to present your instructions in small segments, followed by a question or two that confirms their understanding. Then take the time and effort to draw questions out of them. Don’t merely ask them if they have any questions; the response will be “no.” Instead, think of the various hazards involved in the task, and ask them what questions they have about each of those hazards.
Additionally, for those who are more experienced, understand that your company (more specifically your work crew) has a safety culture. It won’t take long for a new employee to see if your company’s culture is one where they can ask questions and not fear ridicule. To that end, you should not be shy either. Just because you have been performing a job for a long time does not mean that you have nothing to learn. Ask questions and do it in the open where other employees can see and be reassured that yours is a company in which everyone learns by asking questions.
DISCUSS WITH YOUR CREW
Think of a task that employees will perform today; identify the various hazards involved and ask your crew what questions they have about each of those hazards.