The following example comes from Jeff Espenship a USAF fighter pilot. On 27th August 2006, Comair flight 5191 took off from the wrong runway. It was early morning and still dark outside as the captain (highly experienced and trained) was taxiing the aeroplane to the runway. Instead of taking the right runway, he took a wrong turn, which led the plane onto a runway that was too short for take-off. During take-off the cockpit is a designated quiet area to allow for concentration. On this occasion, the captain and co-pilot were chatting, affecting everyone’s performance. Allowing this talk meant that the situational awareness of the captain and co-pilot was reduced and they failed to spot that they were on the wrong runway. Their perception of reality was different to the actual reality. Despite the co-pilot pointing out that there were no lights on the runway it was another 15 seconds before the captain realised what was happening, by which time it was too late. They failed to stop work despite recogising a hazard (there were no lights even though it was dark). If they had stopped work and brought their situational awareness in line with actual reality, 49 people would still be alive today!
Our situational awareness can be further reduced in times of high workload or when under pressure to get a job done to time. In these situations, it is essential to maintain a high level of situational awareness to stop accidents and near misses.
Why is situational awareness important to you?
Situational awareness is important to everyone – it is important that everyone is aware of their surroundings and the potential hazards they face. It is important that each individual is looking out for his or her own safety as well as looking out for their workmates. Even the most experienced people can lack situational awareness – especially when doing tasks that have become routine.
How to improve your situational awareness?
Get in the habit of regularly pausing to make a quick mental assessment of your working environment. When doing so, consider the following questions:
■ Is there anything around you that poses a threat to your health and safety and if so, to what extent?
■ Is the threat big enough that you should stop working?
■ Is there anything you can do to safely reduce that threat in order that you can carry on working safely?
If you see something unsafe or spot a hazard, don’t walk by – take responsibility to deal with it. If you feel you are in any immediate danger to your health or safety STOP work immediately and inform your supervisor.
The STOP, LOOK, ASSESS and MANAGE (SLAM) Technique SLAM consists of four simple steps:
STOP Engage your mind before your hands. Look at the task in hand.
LOOK at your workplace and find the hazards to you and your team mates. Report these immediately to your supervisor.
ASSESS the effects that the hazards have on you, the people you work with, equipment, procedures, pressures and the environment. Ask yourself if you have the knowledge, training and tools to do the task safely. Do this with your supervisor.
MANAGE If you feel unsafe stop working. Tell your supervisor and workmates. Tell your supervisor what actions you think are necessary to make the situation safe.
You may wish to create your own SLAM prompt card for your workforce on site. Side A could contain the SLAM technique as above. Side B could include key areas of risk to be aware of on your site
Where and when should situational awareness techniques be used?
Assessment of your working environment should occur continually, but especially in the following situations:
■ When beginning work on a new project/contract.
■ When you think the work environment has changed since a risk assessment or method statement was written.
■ When working with new or different workmates.
■ Before complacency has set in – it can be a silent killer!
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