When I first drew this cartoon, I was concerned mainly with safety in children’s ministry. I had no idea a few years later I would be managing at a printing facility. Since then, I have truly learned safety is the best policy.
Safety at Work
Before then, I didn’t think too much about workplace safety. I had been in office settings. When I visited warehouses and printing facilities, I let the host worry about safety. I see now how foolish that was. For there are hazards even in an office environment.
I have learned that safety is really about opening your eyes. When our minds are elsewhere, we are not paying attention to our surroundings. We can wear all the personal protection equipment (PPE’s) like safety glasses, hard hats, and ear protection. But if an employee is not aware of their surroundings, accidents will occur.
Our most valuable protection is our minds like this quote demonstrates.
“Safety is something that happens between your ears, not something you hold in your hands.”
Jeff Cooper
With many jobs switching to work-from-home, safety issues can crop up at home as well. After all, the majority of accidents occur in the home. Unfortunately, that means all of us are in charge of workplace safety when we work from home. Our familiar surroundings can lull us into believing everything is safe and secure where we live.
Of course, if there are children present, that can bring a whole new level of safety concerns!
Safety is the best policy in Children’s Ministry
When we serve in children’s ministry, safety needs to be one of our concerns. Let’s face it, as much as we’d like to, we can’t have the kids wear hard hats and safety glasses! Adults need to be the eyes and ears for the kids.
Children are going to get rowdy, try to get away with horseplay, and take safety risks most adults wouldn’t dream of. It can be a challenge.
But just like safety is the best policy in the workplace and home, all of us who work with children also need to consider how we can make a safer environment for our kids.
Editor’s Note: I originally published this blog on October 6, 2015. I revamped and updated it for timeliness and comprehensiveness.
2 replies on “Safety is the Best Policy”
Kevin, you have perfectly captured a part of my childhood!
I was the timid kid on the sidelines, Wes. I admired the kids like you who took the risks and had the battle scars to prove it!