Precautions to Take When Working in a Safety-Sensitive Position

Physicians, mechanics, and bus drivers all have one thing in common. Their jobs are classified as “safety sensitive.” By definition, a safety-sensitive position is a job where the employee is responsible for other people's safety as well as their own. And even though bus drivers may not have the same pressure and pay grade as those of a physician, they are still accountable for the lives of their passengers.

Being in that position is a big responsibility. As such, it is always good to put safeguards and precautions in place to prevent accidents and the loss of life. Some precautions to consider are as follows:

Clean Up Before and After Tasks Involving Harmful Substances

Certain safety-sensitive jobs work with hazardous materials and chemicals. Even if the employee suits up in a hazmat and other similar protective gear, some substances may ooze through any exposed section or cling on to the suit itself, and when the employee takes the suit off, they may come into contact with the substance. That’s why such jobs often have decontamination showers at their work sites to wash away any excess substance.

Should any chemical remain on the employee’s body or especially on their hair, they may be difficult to scrub off. In that case, affected employees need to use specialized shampoo for removing toxins from their body and hair. All jobs involving hazardous materials should include this step in their standard decontamination process.

Stay Sober at Work

Employees with safety-sensitive jobs are entrusted with the lives of other people. Naturally, those employees should never be under the influence of alcohol and other intoxicants before or on the job. They need to remain sharp and sober to do their duties properly.

Sometimes, a worker may succumb to sickness and be prescribed strong medication by their doctors. For those ailing employees, it’s better for them to stay at home than to show up at work and potentially cause accidents.

On a related note, companies with safety-sensitive positions must make certain that their staff aren’t on drugs. They need to conduct surprise drug tests, especially THC tests for marijuana, as some employees may think it’s okay to use weed at work because of the substance’s recent legalization.

Always Plan and Allow for a Margin of Error

Nothing in this world is guaranteed a hundred percent, and safety-sensitive positions aren’t always impervious to accidents. As such, workers with that kind of job and their management must always have contingency plans in case they encounter any unforeseen circumstances. Such precautions can mitigate any damage and avoid escalating any accidents.

Most contingency plans are usually just for the orderly evacuation of people from the site of the accident. A panicking crowd can stampede and bottleneck any exit, which may lead to further harm and casualty. Once the premise has been cleared of people, authorities and management can properly take charge and handle the situation without any additional risk.

Above All Else, Stay Calm

Safety-sensitive work can place a lot of pressure on one’s shoulders. One mishap can jeopardize people’s safety and put their lives at stake. That’s why positions like those are often occupied by workers who can handle pressure well, who can remain calm when the world around them plunges into chaos.

Employees in safety-sensitive positions must remain calm at all times. In their jobs, there is no room for panic.