Hi everyone,
I’ve just finished the Managing Safely course run by John Constable at the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS), University of Strathclyde. And honestly? It changed how I see everyday risks.
One tiny moment stood out: while drying my hands in a public restroom, my smartwatch pinged: “High noise level.”
I looked up, a hand dryer blasting at around 90 dB.
That’s loud enough to damage hearing after just 30 minutes of daily exposure.
And then it hit me: the cleaners. The people who spend hours in those spaces, mopping floors, refilling supplies, cleaning toilets… they’re exposed to this noise day after day.
That’s not just inconvenient, it’s a health risk we overlook.
This course reminded me: safety isn’t just about big machinery or high-risk jobs. It’s about noticing what’s right in front of us.
🛑 Three Reasons Why Safety Matters (Even When You Don’t Think It Does)
- Moral: No one should get hurt doing their job.
- Legal: In the UK, you must assess reasonably foreseeable risks and reduce them “so far as is reasonably practicable.”
- Financial: Fewer accidents = lower insurance costs, less downtime, better efficiency.
And remember: you can delegate responsibility — but never accountability.
⚠️ A Shocking Twist: Home Safety Isn’t Just About Thieves
If a burglar gets injured on your property, they could sue you. But here’s the twist:
- They probably won’t win.
- But someone else might, like a first-aider trying to help.
- Or even a cleaner hired to do the job, because once you pay them, you become their employer and have a duty of care.
That’s why home legal protection matters — especially when contractors skip PPE for speed.
💡 Tip: Always check access points, signage, and equipment safety — whether it’s a window cleaner or a plumber.
🔍 Risk Assessment Done Right
- Do it on-site, not at your desk.
- Make it task-specific — no fluff, no generic templates.
- Get it signed by the person doing the work. No signature? No proof. The legal burden falls on you.
And always use the Hierarchy of Control:
- Eliminate
- Reduce
- Isolate
- Safe systems
- PPE (last resort)
🚗 Why “Reverse Park Only”? (Yes, It’s Real)
Back in factory days, shift workers all left at once. Cars reversed into traffic, causing chaos. Accidents happened. So companies introduced reverse parking: drivers could see where they were going before reversing. Safer. Smarter.
Today, many people arrive and leave at different times, but that rule still saves lives.
✅ Final Thought
Safety isn’t about fear. It’s about foresight.
Whether it’s a noisy hand dryer, an overlooked risk assessment, or a cleaning staff member exposed to long-term noise, small things matter.
Because when we look closely… we don’t just protect people from harm. We show them they’re valued.
Stay safe, stay aware — and next time your watch pings, maybe it’s not just warning you about noise… It’s reminding you to care.
With warmth,
✨ Priya
