1. Giving workers ‘Start work’ authority
SAFE-START 2020 RESOURCE

2. People often talk about giving workers authority to stop work if things get dangerous.
But there’s a problem with that idea, says US health and safety expert Dr Todd Conklin.
Because once work has already started, it can be hard, or too late, to stop without anyone getting hurt.
So he says maybe it’s time we changed to giving workers authority to start work only when they’re sure it’s safe.

3. Todd uses a video about a novice hang-glider to make the case for changing from ‘stop work authority’ to ‘start work authority’. Watch it now using the link below.
Novice left hanging from hang-glider:

4. Next watch Todd’s video about the benefits of giving workers ‘start work authority’.
Dr Todd Conklin on start when safe:

5. For you, what needs to be in place before it’s safe to start?
Now discuss with your team whether giving workers ‘start work authority’ could make a difference in your workplace?
For you, what needs to be in place before it’s safe to start?
For more from Todd Conklin on managing risk controls see