The Take 5 For Safety Process
The take 5 for safety process is becoming very popular as a simple and effective way to increase safety awareness. There are a few variations like StepBack 5 x 5 and I saw a Take 4 For Safety Program just yesterday. Here is a really good document from an unknown sources that explains it very well and very simply: [Download not found]
You may see safety slogans around the workplace like: TAKE 5 – STAY ALIVE or awareness posters.
The process is basically about taking 5 minutes to think about the job and the hazards. And before the cynics say “we haven’t got time for this $%#@!%&” – ask them to think about a time when with a little more thought and planning a job could have been done quicker, easier, cheaper AND safer. I always remember the time I climbed all the way to the top of a silo to do a dip and when I got there realized I had forgotten the key to open the inspection hatch. Had I done a Take 5 – would have saved 20!
The basic process is:
- STOP – engage brain before you act
- LOOK – identify any hazards
- ASSESS – what damage could those hazards causes
- MANAGE – implement controls, tell others
- SAFELY – complete the task
Kevin Corfield says
take 5,s are a complete waste of time.I have been in the workforce for 51 years and not had a accident or major injury just by being aware of my surroundings,.
Dave Collins says
They certainly are when contrived and done only to tick boxes and meet targets. When done well and for the right reasons (ie thinking and discussion) it can be effective. You have probably been doing a “take 5” all those years with out even knowing it. I do like to stop and think about what can go wrong but i think a check list and form is not something that would assist in my case
Richard Rijsdijk says
You, as an experience worker might be aware of threaths but are all you co-workers also aware? Even when they are young, unexperienced, tired, hung over after a night out or what ever?
Innocent Matiyenga says
I am actually undertaking a research on tis subject. I hope the research will bring more lit in the use and application of these tools.
Rob Long says
If I had my way, I would ban the Take 5. It does more damage for safety than any other tool.
Innocent Matiyenga says
Hi Rob,
Lack of literature in these tools is what prompted me to conduct my research. Hopefully the research will provide the missing link. I sent a request to post my survey on this forum/blog as I have seen similar discussions in the past.
Thanks.
Andrew says
Straw man.
Christian Millet says
So… you were doing Take 5! The process itself is meant to be aware of your surrounding. Everybody, without specific knowledge do Take 5! every day. I often ask my students: did you ever cross a street without checking both ways? This is a Take 5! You may have been one of the few people who, actually, have a safe attitude at work naturally. To support your argument, I do Take 5! (both in my head and documented) all the time, and I never had a recordable incident at work. We need tools like Take 5! to change the culture from one of habits to one of attitude. So it is not necessary to you… but I would challenge you that a lot or recordable incidents happened because the employees did not do a Take 5! (in their head or documented)
Admin says
The Take 5 can be a great tool when used properly – to encourage thinking and conversation rather than just to meet the lead indicator measurement goals