Workplace Safety Poems
Looking for a novel way to promote safety – think about an emotional appeal using poetry
Don Merrell from J.R. Simplot is one of the most famous workplace safety poets and many of his poems and limericks have been used as the them for safety training videos and safety posters.
Safety Poems by Don Merrell
A collection of awesome poetry by Don Merrell from JR Simplot. We have published these with Don’s permission.
He is happy for you to reproduce and use any of the poems in any, non commercial, way to promote safety and to share them with anyone who might find them of interest or use. His only request is that the poem stay intact and his name and contact information remain with the poem.
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MORE SAFETY POETRY
Safety – a poem by Rupert Brooke – from POETRY ONLINE
SAFETY
Dear! of all happy in the hour, most blest
He who has found our hid security,
Assured in the dark tides of the world that rest,
And heard our word, “Who is so safe as we?”
We have found safety with all things undying,
The winds, and morning, tears of men and mirth,
The deep night, and birds singing, and clouds flying,
And sleep, and freedom, and the autumnal earth.
We have built a house that is not for Time’s throwing.
We have gained a peace unshaken by pain for ever.
War knows no power. Safe shall be my going,
Secretly armed against all death’s endeavour;
Safe though all safety’s lost; safe where men fall;
And if these poor limbs die, safest of all.
I CHOSE TO LOOK THE OTHER WAY – By Don Merrell:
I could have saved a life that day,
But I chose to look the other way.
It wasn’t that I didn’t care;
I had the time, and I was there.
But I didn’t want to seem a fool,
Or argue over a safety rule.
I knew he’d done the job before;
If I spoke up he might get sore.
The chances didn’t seem that bad;
I’d done the same, he knew I had.
So I shook my head and walked by;
He knew the risks as well as I.
He took the chance, I closed an eye;
And with that act, I let him die.
I could have saved a life that day,
But I chose to look the other way.
Now every time I see his wife,
I know I should have saved his life.
That guilt is something I must bear;
But isn’t’ something you need to share.
If you see a risk that others take
That puts their health or life at stake,
The question asked or thing you say;
Could help them live another day.
If you see a risk and walk away,
Then hope you never have to say,
“I could have saved a life that day,
But I chose to look the other way.”
Poems to stick round the office relating to the various health and safety themes – from Health and Safety Poems at Nordinho.net
This is the first one, a more general H&S one
~*~*~*~
You may think Health and Safety is a chore
But there’s no such thing as an accident anymore
I slipped on a wet floor & twisted my knee
So I will call one of those numbers from the TV
Staring at a screen and my eyes are all out of whack
I’m suing the company – how do you like that!
Trapped my hand in a door and it’s nasty and red
But I would have got more money if it had bled
A friend of mine hit his head on a low bar
He got enough money to buy a new car
One company’s H&S had a bit of a blunder
So now the employees are holidaying down under
I asked for a stapler and was simply told No
In case I drop it and staple my toe
My request for a pencil got a negative reply
In case I fell and stabbed it in my eye
My desk is devoid of anything pointy and evil
Is this continues I fear an upheaval
I’m told to sit straight and don’t hunch
So my spine doesn’t twist up and bunch
The office is covered in a sea of posters
We even have safety warnings wrote on the coasters
The accident book has burst at the seams
And the H&H policy is stacked to the beams
The staff are too scared to use the copying machine
In case they bend too far and burst their spleen
The kettle has been branded a dangerous object
And without the caffeine the staff are all wrecked
The office it seems has become a dangerous place
Where everyone has a lawyer just in case
Prowling the building as quiet as a tome
I think we’d all be better staying at home!
A Holiday Safety Poem – From ohsonline.com
‘Twas the night before Christmas and at the Claus place
Ol’ Santa was angry, turning red in the face
“Who used my sled and brought it back, broke?
Dancer and Prancer, I’m in no mood for your jokes!”
“Honey,” answered Ms. Claus, with calm and slight grin,
“the elves were out earlier, joyriding again.
The sled’s beaten up and the reins a bit stuck,
So for this Christmas Eve, you must take the truck.
I’ll ask Father Time to put a hold on the clock
To give you time to get everywhere — here to Bangkok.
Give the deer the night off, but take an elf (or two)
And follow my safety tips so you’ll know what to do.
Driving a truck isn’t like steering your sled
And if you’re not careful, you could wind up dead!
Listen here, Santa, as I explain how to winter drive
To deliver your toys safely and come back alive.”
Santa paused a moment but then listened to his wife
For ignoring Mrs. Claus could have cost him his life!
“The first thing you should do is check out your ride
Look over and under and around every side.
Clear away snow or ice from your windows and lights,
Off the hood and roof, too, to not impede your sight.
All fluids should be full and right for the cold.
They make extreme-weather washer fluid (or so I’ve been told).
Unlike your sled and deer, trucks must be driven slow
So you don’t lose control and end up in the snow.
Don’t tailgate, don’t speed, keep your eyes on the road
Remember, those presents give you quite a heavy load!
Your stopping time is longer; allow plenty of space
Between you and other drivers -– remember, this isn’t a race!
Cruise control is no good in rain, snow, or ice
Even four-wheel drive is not an invincible device
The truck has ABS, so don’t pump the brakes, dear
To slow the truck down safely, simply ‘stomp and steer.’
If you start to skid, move your foot from the gas to the brakes
Steer in the direction of the skid. That’s all it takes!
Don’t panic, or pump, or swerve side to side
Stay calm and drive safely, or this could be your last ride!
If you’re stuck in the snow, turn your wheels, but don’t spin
You’ll just dig yourself deeper and become stuck again!
Turn your wheels so you’ll move the snow out of the way
Having emergency gear aboard also is sure to pay.
A shovel, cat litter, salt, gravel, or sand
These things, no doubt, will give you a big hand
And help you out of the rut and back on your way
So you can deliver the toys before Christmas Day!
Speaking of gear, here are more things you should take,
A safe, warm, and less stressful trip they will make!
A blanket, matches, whistle, flashlight, and rope,
Change of clothes and some food will make it easier to cope.
Keep your cell phone handy, but don’t call and drive
And definitely don’t text while steering to stay safe and alive!
Now, Santa, I know it’s a lot to learn in a dash
But it’s easy, and you’ll remember it all in a flash!”
Santa stood up and smiled. His face was less red.
He had listened to everything Mrs. Claus said.
He was jolly and happy, back to his old self.
And no longer mad at the mischievous elf.
He checked the truck over, under, and side to side,
Loaded the toys and prepared for his ride.
Just before Santa took off on that dark, starry night,
He exclaimed, “I’ll be careful and return safely tonight!”
ROAD SAFETY POETRY- from My Poem on Road Safety
The Road
In every country there is way
These are highway and super way.
On me all traffic sway
Small or big, thin or tall, all drives gay
Some drive scooters and some drive cars
Buses and rickshaws move through the hours.
All day and night, they drive along
With head lights off and on.
Traffic rules are there to obey
And go on, go on every day.
I care for the safety of young and old
So, follow the rules as told.
Three Eyes Glowing Bright
Traffic light, Traffic light, I stand up right,
I teach every road user to do what is right.
I am the mighty traffic light
I have three eyes glowing bright.
When I am green I let you go
Keeping cars and buses in different rows.
Blinking my orange light,
I warn you right.
To brake and stop tread
As the light becomes fully red.
Now is the time to stop and wait
Little caution makes no one late.
On The Road To School
There comes the break of down,
Get up children, as it is morn.
Now, you should get ready and go to school,
With the bag, books, Tiffin and water cool.
On the road to school, be very careful
Walk on the footpath and don’t be playful.
No running when you walk on the road,
Use only the Zebra Crossing to cross the road
Be cautious and obey the golden rule,
First, look to your right
Then, look to your left
Look to the right again
Walk and cross if no traffic
Reach your school safe and sound.
Use the Zebra Crossing
When you cross the road
to the other side,
Always use the Zebra Crossing
Remember the rules to abide.Stripes of Black and white laid on road.
As in the skin of Zebra
Stretching next to the traffic light
And this is Zebra crossing.
When the light is red
and the traffic stops
Walk on the Zebra Crossing,
never run or hop.
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