January 5, 2026

Safe Start January: Resetting Our Safety Mindset

After time away from work, it’s important to reset our safety mindset by wearing required PPE, following established procedures, and avoiding shortcuts that can lead to injuries. Taking a moment to refocus so you’re sure you’re doing your job the right way every time helps to keep you and your coworkers safe.

The holidays are a great time to recharge. We travel, change routines, stay up late, and focus on family and fun. But when it’s time to come back to work, that shift—from holiday mode to work mode—can be where risk sneaks in. That’s why this is the perfect moment to pause, reset, and commit to doing things the right way.

 

Safety isn’t about rushing back to full speed on day one. It’s about getting back into safe habits—especially when it comes to personal protective equipment (PPE) and following established procedures.

 

Why It Matters

PPE and procedures exist to help protect you and others when something unexpected happens.

  • PPE is your last line of defense when hazards can’t be eliminated.
  • Procedures are proven methods designed to prevent injuries before they occur.
  • Doing a task “the right way” ensures consistency, predictability and safety for you and your coworkers.


Skipping a step, taking a shortcut or assuming “it’ll be fine this time” can turn a routine task into an incident in seconds.


The Post-Holiday Risk: Familiar Work, Rusty Habits

After time away, even experienced employees can feel a little off: muscle memory isn’t quite there yet, routines feel interrupted and focus may drift as we catch up on things we missed while we were gone. That’s a common response for many, but it’s also why incidents often happen right after extended time off.


The good news? A few intentional habits can bring safety back into focus fast.


1. Start Every Day With a “Safety Reset” - Before jumping in, take 60 seconds to ask:

  • What hazards are present today?
  • What PPE is required for my tasks?
  • What procedures apply to the work I’m doing?


This short pause (sometimes referred to as SLAM) can prevent negative long-term consequences.


2. Use PPE as a Routine, Not an Option - Make PPE part of your “getting ready” process—just like brushing your teeth in the morning.

  • Inspect PPE before use
  • Replace damaged or worn equipment
  • Wear it correctly, not halfway



3. Follow the Procedure No Matter How Long You’ve Been Employed - Experience is valuable, but it doesn’t replace safe processes.

  • Review procedures after time away
  • Avoid shortcuts, especially when trying to “catch up”
  • If something doesn’t seem right, stop and ask


Procedures protect both new and seasoned employees.

 

4. Slow Down to Speed Up - Rushing increases mistakes. Mistakes increase injuries. Working safely may feel slower at first, but it prevents:

  • Rework or quality issues
  • Equipment damage
  • Lost time due to injury

 

5. Watch Out for Each Other - A fresh set of eyes helps everyone. Safety is a team effort!

  • Accept reminders as support, not criticism
  • Speak up if you notice a missed step or missing PPE
  • Thank coworkers who help keep you safe

 

Posting reminders at your workstation, reviewing procedures during your first shift back, or mentally walking through a task before starting can make a big difference.

 

A Safe Start Sets the Tone

Coming back from the holidays is a fresh start—not just for productivity, but for safety. When we wear our PPE, follow procedures, and commit to doing things the right way, we protect ourselves, our coworkers, and our families who expect us to come home safe every day.

 

Let’s make this Safe Start January a strong, safe start—one deliberate, smart choice at a time.


Safety First. Always. And, it starts with me.