On Self-Protection for Safety Managers from Tiger Attacks

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Abstract: Safety production accidents are as dangerous as tigers. The purpose of safety managers is to protect workers from harm, and while doing so, we must also learn to protect ourselves. 　　The much-publicized incident of a tiger injuring people at the Badaling Wildlife World has finally been resolved. Recently, the incident investigation team released its findings: it was determined that the incident on July 23 in which a Siberian tiger caused injuries to tourists did not constitute an accident resulting from negligence in safety measures. The results were as the author expected; of course, we also express our regret for the affected party. 　　The investigation findings indicate that the cause of this accident was the victim’s failure to comply with the rule prohibiting getting out of the vehicle in the wild animal area of Badaling Wildlife World; he ignored the warnings from the park’s management staff and other visitors, got out of the vehicle on his own, which led to him being attacked by tigers and suffering injuries or death. Before the incident, Badaling Wildlife World provided oral notifications, distributed notices outlining the \"six prohibitions,\" and signed a liability agreement regarding vehicle damage for those who drove their own cars into the park. Clear warning signs and directional markers were placed along the routes in the area where wild animals were present. After the incident, actions were carried out in an orderly manner, with immediate on-site handling and rescue efforts deployed. Based on the cause analysis, the investigation team determined that the incident on July 23 in which a Siberian tiger caused injuries to tourists did not constitute an accident resulting from negligence in work safety. 　　Imagine if the park management had not signed any agreements with visitors beforehand, had failed to provide warnings about the dangers, lacked clear warning signs in the park, and had not carried out timely and effective rescue efforts in the event of an accident – the outcome would be very different. Heavy fines, suspension of operations for rectification, and legal consequences for those responsible are penalties that cannot be avoided at all. 　　With this in mind, the author believes that this incident also serves as a wake-up call for safety management in construction work. Once an accident occurs in construction related to work safety, the harm and losses caused are incomparable to those inflicted by several Siberian tigers. Safety managers must not only take measures to prevent accidents from occurring but also consider ways to avoid taking primary responsibility in the event of an accident. 　　How to avoid primary responsibility? On this point, the park management mentioned above has set an example for us. When workers enter the site, safety education for entry must be provided, along with information regarding the dangerous areas at the construction site. Before starting work, relevant safety and technical instructions must be given to workers depending on their specific roles. As part of daily management, regular safety training sessions should be organized, warning signs must be placed in dangerous areas on site, and any safety hazards identified must be addressed promptly. Accidents involving multiple deaths and injuries in construction sites occur frequently; we do not want to see such tragic outcomes. The purpose of these preventive measures is not only to prevent accidents from happening, but also to avoid placing the main responsibility on safety managers in the event that an accident does occur. 　　The results of countless investigations into safety incidents warn us that safety managers end up bearing legal responsibility, crying in court out of regret, due to their failure to educate and inform workers, as well as their lack of oversight over construction activities. And these seemingly simple basic documents can save us from imprisonment. 　　Workplace safety accidents are as dangerous as tigers; the purpose of safety managers is to protect workers from harm. While protecting workers, we must also learn to protect ourselves.