Jim Thompson

Email Jim at jim.thompson@ipulpmedia.com

There are many emotions that don't mix with safety, anger is one of the most dangerous. As I recently read, Anger is one letter short of Danger.

When you are angry, your judgement is impaired, and you are distracted.

What are leading causes of safety incidences? Your judgement is impaired, and you are distracted. Scary, isn't it?

And the source of your anger can be anywhere--at home, driving to work, at work. Walking into work angry is a recipe for disaster. You are at risk, your coworkers are at risk, and the company's assets are at risk.

You can be fired, or worse, killed by letting your anger control you.

You have heard it before--take a few minutes to step aside and get your anger under control. If you have a close buddy, ask them to help you.

If someone is getting under your skin, we often say they are living "rent free" in your head. Such people are not friends--break off any chance to interact with them.

Stop dwelling on a problem, think about something else.

Office romances are some of the worst sources of anger when the spouses on the outside figure out what is going on. I have some news for you, you are not going to have an office romance that is smooth--they don't exist. Quit deceiving yourself.

In today's world, politics seem to set people off all the time. In my house, political discussions are not allowed. Probably should be that way in most work situations, too.

Next step? Professional help. Your employer likely has a program that can help--go see the HR department.

Train yourself to recognize anger and automatically link it to having unsafe actions.

Be safe and we will talk next week.

For a deeper dive, go here.

Safety and Anger Management Study Guide

Quiz

1. According to the source, why is anger considered dangerous in relation to safety?
2. What are the two main effects of anger mentioned that lead to safety incidents?
3. Where can the source of anger originate from, according to the text?
4. Who is at risk when someone walks into work angry?
5. What is the suggested immediate action to take if you feel angry?
6. What is the advice given regarding people who "get under your skin" and live "rent free" in your head?
7. Why are office romances cited as a potentially dangerous source of anger?
8. What topic is mentioned as a common trigger for anger in today's world that should potentially be avoided at work?
9. If someone is struggling with anger management, what resource is suggested?
10. What should individuals train themselves to recognize and link to unsafe actions?

Quiz Answer Key

1. Anger is dangerous because it impairs judgment and causes distraction, which are leading causes of safety incidents.
2. The two main effects are impaired judgment and being distracted.
3. The source of anger can come from anywhere, including home, during the commute, or at work.
4. When someone walks into work angry, they themselves, their coworkers, and the company's assets are at risk.
5. The suggested immediate action is to take a few minutes to step aside and get your anger under control.
6. The advice is to break off any chance to interact with such people, as they are not friends.
7. Office romances are potentially dangerous because they are likely to cause anger when external spouses discover them and they are never smooth.
8. Politics is mentioned as a common trigger for anger that should potentially be avoided in most work situations.
9. Professional help, potentially through an employer's program via the HR department, is suggested.
10. Individuals should train themselves to recognize anger and automatically link it to having unsafe actions.

Essay Questions

• Analyze the relationship between anger and safety as described in the source material, discussing specific mechanisms by which anger increases risk.
• Evaluate the different suggested methods for managing anger presented in the text, considering their potential effectiveness in a workplace context.
• Discuss the various sources of anger mentioned in the article and explain why addressing the origin of anger is important for maintaining safety.
• Explore the potential consequences of uncontrolled anger in the workplace, encompassing risks to individuals, colleagues, and the organization as a whole.
• Consider the suggestion to avoid certain topics or interactions (like politics or difficult people) as a strategy for anger management and its implications for interpersonal relationships and communication.

Glossary of Key Terms

Anger: A strong feeling of annoyance, displeasure, or hostility.

Safety: The condition of being protected from or unlikely to cause danger, risk, or injury.

Judgement: The ability to make considered decisions or come to sensible conclusions. In the context of the source, impaired judgment means a diminished capacity to make sound decisions, particularly related to safety.

Distracted: Unable to concentrate because one's mind is preoccupied. In the context of the source, being distracted takes attention away from safe practices.

Safety Incidences: Events or occurrences that result in injury, damage, or loss, or have the potential to do so.

Recipe for Disaster: A set of circumstances or actions that is very likely to lead to failure or an undesirable outcome.

Dwelling: Thinking, speaking, or writing about something at length. In the context of the source, dwelling on a problem is seen as prolonging anger.

Office Romances: Romantic or sexual relationships between colleagues in a workplace.

Professional Help: Assistance from trained and qualified individuals, such as therapists or counselors, for addressing personal or psychological issues.

Unsafe Actions: Behaviors or decisions that increase the likelihood of injury, damage, or accidents.

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