Use the SLAM method to avoid safety hazards

Situational awareness — the perception of one’s surroundings and identification of potential threats and dangerous situations — is more of a mindset than a hard skill.

Because of this, situational awareness is not something that can be practiced only by highly trained, experienced employees, but can be exercised by anyone with the will and the discipline to do so. Situational awareness is not only important for recognizing hazards, but also serves to identify at-risk behaviors and other dangerous situations.

Use the SLAM method:

STOP

• Stop the task and think. Look at each step.
• Ask:
  • Is this a new task?
  • Has the task changed?
  • When was the last time I did this task?
  • Teach family members how to survive catching on fire — stop, drop and roll.Do I feel comfortable doing this task? If not, do I need training?

LOOK

• Look before, during and after completion of the task.
• Always:
  • Inspect the work area for potential hazards, e.g., unsecured ladders, extremely poor housekeeping.
  • Identify the hazards for each step of the job/task.
  • Evaluate what to do about them; write a JHA or work plan.

ASSESS

• Are workers equipped to perform the task safely?
  • Check that they have the correct knowledge, skills, training and tools.
• What else do they need?
  • Help? Workers should be encouraged to ask for help.
  • More training? Workers should not perform the task until they have been trained.

MANAGE

• Managers should take action to reduce on-site hazards by:
  • Ensuring that proper equipment is used and is well maintained.
  • Thinking about the task just completed and asking:
    • What went well/did not go well?
    • Did anything unexpected happen?

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