The Silent Danger: How Normalized Risks Creep into Our Daily Routine

Picture this: A seasoned, confident, skilled lineman climbs a utility pole for the umpteenth time. It's a task he's performed flawlessly under the watchful eyes of both dawn and dusk. Yet, on this ordinary day, the routine betrays him. A misstep, a forgotten safety check—suddenly, the mundane becomes menacing. This moment, drawn from the countless stories shared within our trade, underscores a silent danger we all face: the normalization of risks.

The Risk of Routine: Repetition is a double-edged sword in powerline maintenance and construction. It builds efficiency and skill, but it also breeds a dangerous complacency. Our work demands repetitive tasks; over time, these tasks can desensitize us to the risks they carry. The routine becomes so ingrained that we might skip a step, overlook a safety check, or ignore a hazard simply because "nothing bad has happened before."

Personal Reflection: Reflecting on my experience, I recall a day much like any other when the familiar became my foe. Engaged in a task I had performed hundreds of times, I found myself trapped by an induced voltage—a risk I knew well yet underestimated in my routine. This oversight led to a life-threatening situation, serving as a stark reminder that safety must never become secondary to schedule.

Strategies for Vigilance: Maintaining high safety standards in the face of routine demands a conscious, continuous effort. Here are some strategies that can help:

• Routine Risk Assessment: Before beginning any task, no matter how familiar, take a moment to assess the risks anew. This fresh perspective can reveal hazards that routine has rendered invisible.
• Peer Checks: Implement a system where coworkers check each other's work and safety practices. A new set of eyes can catch what routine may have obscured.
• Safety Moments: Start each day or meeting with a "safety moment," sharing stories or reminders reinforcing the importance of vigilance.
• Continual Learning: Engage in regular training and education to keep safety protocols top of mind and to introduce new perspectives on routine tasks.

The normalization of risks is a silent danger lurking in our daily routines. It whispers that familiarity equals safety, a notion we must actively reject. By incorporating strategies for vigilance into our work habits, we can protect ourselves and our colleagues from the complacency that endangers us. Let us pledge to approach each task with the respect and caution it deserves, ensuring that routine never becomes a risk.