Page 4 - September 2020 Track N Times

5-Step Continued

cause most of us don’t 5-Step our way through life outside of work, this can feel unnatural. However, the more we go
through the process, the easier it comes and the more confident we can be in our assessments. When we have effec-
tively identified and controlled hazards in one task, that skill and knowledge carry forward and builds the depth and
usefulness of the 5-Steps performed.

I offer two cautions when assessing risk. First, in a male-dominated industry, we sometimes hesitate to take precau-
tions or voice concerns because we don’t want to seem fearful of remote risk. Consider instead that a thorough risk
assessment is a sign of a competent, professional leadership, vital to achieving the safety outcomes required by our
customers, and leaders protect their people.
Second, don’t let your assessment become stale and complacent. We’ve all been through briefings where hazards are
rattled off like they’re in the way. Sometimes we can’t bother to even say actual words. “Hazards today are STF, PP,
LOF. Be sure to wear PPE and use LOTO. Moving on…” Don’t let this kind of assessment be part of your 5-Step.
Both of these mistakes – reluctance to name risk, and numbly naming ALL the usual risks - minimize the actual risks

that we face. Over the years watching our large fleet and customer safety communications, it rapidly became clear that
if it CAN happen, it eventually WILL happen, and only a lack of imagination would lead us to think otherwise. This is
the risk pyramid in action. When it comes to humans interacting with risk, it takes quite a lot to surprise me these
days.

The point in all of this is to once again emphasize the critical importance of hazard recognition throughout our day,
understanding that risk is real, and that we employ the 5-Step for this reason. It is a crucial life-saving and injury-
preventing tool, and has it’s rightful place in our IN-GAGED panel with our other critical safety programs.

Congratulations Grahm Rose,
Manager Vehicle Fleet.

Pictured here being awarded his 5
year’s of service with Loram certificate
from Kevin Burton, VP, Fleet Opera-
tions.

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