From your high school driver education class, you may remember something called the Smith System of Defensive Driving. Harold Smith and Ford Motor Co. developed this system of five rules: 1) aim high in steering; 2) keep your eyes moving; 3) get the big picture; 4) make sure others see you; and 5)leave yourself an out. These driving safety rules can be adapted to safety at work.

Aim high in steering. On the highway, the practice of aiming far down the road enables the driver to make fewer and smaller steering corrections and to better predict events to which he or she may need to react. In the workplace, we need to plan our work ahead. Anticipate the problems we might encounter. Collect the tools, equipment and safety gear we will need. Think the job through. Who else might be affected? What about clean-up afterward? Minimize corrections that may have to be made later. Plan ahead for safety.

Keep your eyes moving. In driving, we need to keep track of a number of systems. Smith suggests frequent glances to each side, the instrument panel, and the rear-view mirrors. After each quick glance, return to the primary focus, the path ahead. At work, we are focused on the job to be done. If we plan the job well, there should be few unexpected hazards. But, we can't be sure. The focus can remain on the job, but we need to make frequent safety system checks. Look for sources of sudden injury. Could I strike or be struck by something? Could I contact hot, cold, electric or caustic? Could I fall? Could I overexert myself? Could I get pinched? Keep track of your surroundings.

Get the big picture. In driving, we combine what we see ahead and around us to get the big picture. We have a concept of our overall route (from a roadmap or experience). To that we add the pavement conditions, traffic levels, weather conditions and a dozen other factors and analyze that data. Based on that analysis, we may decide to modify our speed or direction to ensure a continued safe journey. On the job, we need to be constantly aware of our game plan and how surrounding (changing) conditions may affect that plan. Don't rely just on visual data. Listen. Ask questions. Know what's happening. Consider the effects of weather, fatigue, other jobs nearby and other distractions. Try to predict what could happen. Anticipate danger.

Make sure others see you. Most of us do this when working around heavy mobile and stationary equipment. We make eye contact with the operator before getting close to the operating zone of the equipment. Solicit a response-a wave, a signal or radio contact. We may tap our horn or flash our headlights. We need to actively be recognized. At night wear reflective clothing and use a flashlight. Whether you are on foot, in a pick-up truck or operating off-road mobile equipment, make sure others know your position. Be seen and be heard.

Leave yourself an out. There is nothing like suddenly realizing that you have no options. In traffic, it is unwise to get boxed in by a group of trucks. When at work, make sure you have a means of escape. If using fall-arrest equipment, have a rescue plan. Don't enter unfamiliar areas, especially bins, hoppers, tanks and other confined spaces without proper preparation and with a fully equipped attendant on duty, watching. Make sure that exits from buildings, cabs and control rooms are clear and functional. Stay well away from suspended objects and out of the line of fire just in case something breaks. Be ready to release the tag line. Maintain multiple options.

Borrowing from Mr. Smith, our workplace safety system may read: 1) plan ahead for safety; 2) keep track of your surroundings; 3) anticipate danger; 4) be seen and be heard; and 5) maintain multiple options.

And, please, drive safely.