Are You Too Comfortable With Your Work? 

Many construction workers who have done the same work for years can develop a sense of comfort as time goes by. This feeling of security can cause problems if they are not careful. When workers become too comfortable with their work, it could result in an accident or injury.

According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), comfort is defined as “a feeling of physical ease and freedom from strain.” Comfort is important for workers to remain productive in their jobs. However, when people become too comfortable with their work, it could cause them to take unnecessary risks or not focus on safety at all times. They can develop a false sense of security and engage in risky behavior. This type of behavior can lead to an accident or workplace injury.

Workers who are too comfortable with their work are more likely to ignore safety precautions that they have used in the past, putting themselves at risk for harm. It can also be easy to fall into a routine when doing certain tasks, which may cause workers to take shortcuts and skip steps. Being too comfortable with your work can also cause you to slack off, which could hurt productivity.

One way to avoid being too comfortable with your work is to focus on safety at all times. When workers are reminded of the dangers that they face daily, they are less likely to become too relaxed when doing their tasks (this is why we read these toolbox topics each day). Additionally, workers should keep an open line of communication with their supervisors, so that they can speak up when they feel uncomfortable or unsafe.

Comfort is important for workers to be productive, but it should not prevent them from being aware of the hazards around them. To avoid being too comfortable with your work, you should stay mindful of your safety at all times and remember that your performance affects more than just yourself.

You may also find yourself going into “autopilot” mode. Sometimes we don’t even realize how complacent we are until we have a near miss or close call. Please stay focused on your task and follow all safe work practices and procedures to avoid a possible injury.