The FOCUS SYSTEM

F Find Your Reason

O Own Your Mind
C Concentrate On Your Task
U Understand Your Distractions
S See the Big Picture
Applying the distracted driver principles to the workplace
Brian Nulty (MSC) & Greg Griffin (Chubb), two Safety
Professionals from Georgia, developed the FOCUS system
that has reduced injuries in some workplaces by over 25%.

WHY THE FOCUS SYSTEM??

Distracted associates like Distracted Drivers are at a
greater risk of being involved in an incident and injury
85 to 90% of Injuries at some companies
Distraction Rate - % of incidents where distractions
were the proximate cause
Incidents and injuries are caused when associates are
distracted while performing their work
We want To BE AND STAY proactive in the areas of
safety, quality, & productivity

FOCUS Triangle

Severe Injury
or Damage

30

Incidents
ZEN Proverb

300
Distractions

Near Misses

When walking, walk.

When eating, eat.
Do one thing at a time.
The basic step is to
keep it simple: singletask, avoid multi-tasking.
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Are These Distractions?

Birth/Death in Family
Divorce/Separation/Marriage
Crowded Work Area
Financial/Mortgage
Health/Diet
Coworker/Supervisor
One Method to Deal with Distractions:
Take Mini-breaks to let your mind
wander (10 15 seconds) write it down then
return to work/task.
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Distractions can lead to injury

The more distractions we have; the greater
chance of being injured.
The chance of being injured, when distracted, is
40% to 80% higher.
FOCUS will not solve the distractions but will
help make you AWARE of injury causing
distractions.
Inattention is involved in 78% of all
observed crashes and 66% of all
crash events (crash/near crash).
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FIND YOUR REASON

Personalize it.
Why is safety important to YOU.
Self Preservation.
Who wants to be injured.
Your Family Needs You.
WHAT IS YOUR REASON FOR STAYING FOCUSED?

OWN YOUR MIND

Own & Control Your Frustrations.
Stop and ask for help.
Own & Choose Your Attitude.
Stay Positive.
Avoid Overconfidence.
Dont get too comfortable.
Keep Your Mind On Your Work.
WHAT IS YOUR ATTITUDE TODAY?
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CONCENTRATE ON YOUR TASK

Keep Your Eyes On Your Work

Focus on the task at hand
Looking ahead while walking and driving

Follow The Jobs Procedures

Written with Safety in mind

Critical Tasks Include:

Material Handling Equipment
Lifting Items
Placement Of Items

Understand Hand and Feet Placement

How to carry, lift, move, slide, and handle an item
Maintain a 3 point contact on stairs and ladders

WHAT IS THE PROCEDURE TO KEEP YOUR EYES ON?

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U NDERSTAND YOUR DISTRACTIONS

Know Your Cognitive Distractions
Thinking, reasoning, remembering, imagining.
Know Your Physical Distractions
Radios and surrounding environment.
Associate Conversations
When we talk and try to perform critical tasks our minds
may not be on the task.
Personal Matters
Things in your everyday life.
WHAT THINGS CAUSE YOU TO BE DISTRACTED?
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S EE THE BIG PICTURE

Know Your Fatigue/Energy Level
When tired FOCUS
Exercise and Diet
Dont Rush
Know the times that cause you to rush - FOCUS
Avoid Shortcuts
Follow procedures
Take Your Time With Unfamiliar Items & Tasks
WHAT IS TIME NEEDED TO DO IT SAFELY?
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