b'PRESIDENTS LETTERChris WalkerSafety: you own it!Youownresponsibilityforyourof tiles for that little extra reach? safety, and the safety of the peopleYoujustimaginedwhatcan nearoraffectedbywhatyouarehappenwhenyourenotfollow-doing.Itsgoodpracticeanditsingsafetyprecautionsinthese goodbusiness.Noonewantstoexamples.Youalsorealizethat thinkabouttheconsequencesoftheundesiredresultsaresolved ajobsiteaccident,butyouhaveby preventive steps: ones that you probably observed plenty of stitch- already know you should be doing es and perhaps a few serious acci- orusing.Thoseundesiredresults dents if you have been on the jobare called accidents because no for any length of time.one meant for them to happen. But Mostworksiteaccidentsareusually when looking back on an completelyavoidable.Theyareaccident, you see a simple way it theresultofbadjudgment,poorcould have been avoided. decision-makingoramomentaryAccidents and mistakes are often lapse of focus. Good practice andthe result of the same cause: skip-an effective safety culture start andping steps you are already aware of endwithyou.Ifyoudontthinkbut avoid because they are incon-about it, plan for it and ultimatelyvenient. Thosearestepsmeantto enforceit,safetydoesnthappen.protectyouorcreateanintended Whetheryouworkaloneorwithresult, like safety glasses. You dont ateamof20craftworkers,rein- mean to catch a piece of metal with forcinggooddecisionsthatformyour eye; it was an accident that good habits make a difference. Docould have been avoided had you you use the guard made for yourdonnedyourglasses.Weconve-grinders? Do you have the vacuumniently call them accidents because attachmentandHEPAvacuumifwe feel better not having to admit to you are dry cutting? Do you vacu- making a mistake or error in judge-um dust and small particulates orment. Thats the way it works with are you pushing them around withsafety.Accidentsaresomething a broom? Are you standing on youryou can PLAN to AVOID. trusty old bucket on top of a stackSeveralofyoujustsmiled. You 18TileLetter | February 2020'