Updated Jan 19th, 2023

Ten Simple Steps to a Safer Workplace

“The doctor comes in with two nurses in tow. He sits in front of me, takes both my hands in his, looks into my eyes and says: “I am very sorry to tell you this but your husband is brain-dead.”

– Maryanne Pope, “A Widow’s Awakening”

Don’t know? Here are ten simple steps to help you answer the question:

1. Take a good look around your workplace. Right now.

2. Close your eyes.

3. Imagine you are a first responder seeing the place for the first time.

4. Open your eyes.

5. Look around your work space again but this time, see it from their perspective.

6. And since they likely aren’t in your workplace for a picnic, throw in some smoke in the case of fire, or perhaps an alarm in the case of a break and enter.

7. Now ask yourself: are there any hazards that I am aware of – in the light of day under normal circumstances – but someone unfamiliar with this premise/yard/site attending during an emergency wouldn’t be able to see?

8. If you can’t answer that question, take a quick look at the John Petropoulos Memorial Fund’s 10-minute safety video, Put Yourself in Our Boots

9. If you can answer that question and do see a hazard that could be a potential danger to someone unfamiliar with your premise: fix, change or remove it.

10. Today.

Don’t think a fatality can happen at your workplace?

Think again. It can. It did.

On September 29^th, 2000 Calgary police officer, Cst John Petropoulos, was searching the mezzanine level of a warehouse during the investigation of a break and enter complaint.

There was no safety railing in place to warn him of the danger. The complaint turned out to be a false alarm; there was no intruder in the building.

Here’s what the K-9 officer, who was working with John the night he fell, had to say:

“As emergency services workers, we are tasked with protecting our community in environments that are never predictable, always volatile, and often beyond our control. We tread into environments that demand skill and knowledge; where putting one foot in front of the other is a way of life. Still, there are unsafe elements that exist in our workplace that we cannot expect, where only the unexpected happens.

The work of the John Petropoulos Memorial Fund brings to the forefront the issue of workplace safety after hours – when our community is asleep, we are protecting their businesses, properties and investments, which are often themselves the very menace we face. The JPMF inspires us to carefully continue putting one foot in front of the other while demanding that the community protect us as we protect them.”

– Staff Sergeant Darren Leggatt, Calgary Police Service, ILEETA Review

Here’s a candid comment by an OH&S Manager after hearing a John Petropoulos Memorial Fund workplace safety presentation:

“I have been involved in safety for 18 years and 9 years as a Manager. I am embarrassed to admit that I never thought of the Health and Safety of emergency response workers who may have to enter our property.

Hearing the John Petropoulos Memorial Fund’s workplace safety presentation brought awareness about the safety of emergency workers who may have to respond at our facilities.”

But now that you are aware – and still choose to do nothing? If a preventable injury or fatality were to occur at your workplace, the cause would be negligence versus ignorance. Negligence is not only a very expensive excuse – it’s one you’ll have to live with for the rest of your life.

For when we know better, we do better.

To find out more about how to make your workplace safe for everyone, including first responders, please visit the John Petropoulos Memorial Fund.

Maryanne Pope is the author of “A Widow’s Awakening.” She also writes screenplays, playscripts and blogs. She is the CEO of Pink Gazelle Productions and a co-founder of the John Petropoulos Memorial Fund. To receive Maryanne’s blog, “Weekly Words of Wisdom,” please subscribe here.