A recent incident at an industrial facility draws attention to a key aspect of occupational safety: effective communication between shifts. Even though this time there were no injuries, it was only by chance that the situation did not turn into a serious accident.
At the end of the shift, an employee tried to close a swing door. During the maneuver, a bolt came loose, the door slid and got stuck in an uncertain position. The worker went home without reporting the malfunction or the situation. The following shift, unaware of the issue, assumed the door was fully open. Another colleague operated a forklift and caught the door with the mast, believing the way was clear. Fortunately, no one was hurt, but the incident clearly highlighted the need for preventive and responsible behavior.
Although this event does not require a formal investigation, it should be seen as a wake-up call. It is essential that employees are aware of the importance of communication between shifts and of the obligation to report any malfunction or hazard observed, no matter how minor it may seem. A simple communication or a note in the shift log would have been enough to prevent exposing colleagues to risk.
In such situations, it is recommended that the persons involved be retrained on the internal workplace discipline rules and on the procedures for communication and handover between shifts. In addition, periodic training should include such real-life examples to foster a culture of prevention, where every worker understands that responsibility for workplace safety does not end with the workday.
Promoting a proactive mindset among employees — based on communication, awareness, and responsibility — is the most effective tool for preventing accidents. Occupational safety and health are not limited to rules and documents – they start with every gesture, every decision, and every action of those involved in the activity.
