360° Circle of Safety

We wanted to share this photo and story that was sent to us recently as a reminder for you to practice the “360° Circle of Safety Vehicle Walk Around” and inform others about developing this habit.

    A Pike Electric crew working for another Utility found this child while conducting a CIRCLE OF SAFETY of the company truck the crew members were driving. I don’t want to think about what would have happened if the employee had gotten in the truck and drove off without doing a walk around. Please share this eye-opening, bone-chilling photo and experience with your work groups.

   This crew has also reported children climbing into the back of company vehicles. Keep in mind children will be out of school on summer break soon, so be sure to watch out for them!

It is important to build the Circle of Safety process to habit strength so that even if you’re rushing, frustrated, tired or complacent you will still do this 30-second step automatically before driving—just like putting on your seatbelt—even if your eyes or mind are not on task.

Though we haven’t been able to verify the exact origins of this story and the Circle of Safety process, a quick online search will provide you with resources to help build your own personal or fleet vehicle walk-around process. At minimum, you should back into parking spaces and your driveway, and before you enter your vehicle you should walk all the way around and look under the vehicle and in the wheel wells or other vehicle cavities. Also look around the general area to see if anyone may enter your vehicle’s line-of-fire unexpectedly (from a cycle path, nearby playground, etc.) when you begin to move.

SafeStart is filled with safety skills and habits—here are just a few you can work on:

  • Test your footing or grip before you commit your weight (getting out of car, etc.)
  • Look carefully at anything you are going to stick your hand into or rest your hand on
  • Move your eyes first before you move your hands, feet, body or car
  • Get your eyes back on the road quickly if you’ve been distracted
  • Look for line-of-fire potential before moving    (blind corners, aisle ways, etc.)
  • Look for things that could cause you to lose your balance, traction or grip
  • Glance up before standing up or raising your hands (bang head or hands, etc.)
  • Keep your hands out of pinch points
  • Use three-point contact when ascending or descending (ladders, mobile equipment, etc.)
  • Hold the handrail on stairways

Health and Safety Risk Management BlogSource: Health and Safety Risk Management Blog