Distraction and Complacency Prevention

Distraction and complacency are leading behavioural factors in construction accidents and near misses.
Distraction occurs when attention shifts from the task to phones, conversations, personal worries, or other activities.
Complacency develops when workers become too familiar with hazards and stop consciously recognising the risks.
Mobile phone use on active construction sites is a growing cause of distraction-related incidents.
Experienced workers are most vulnerable to complacency because repetition creates a false sense of safety.
The human brain can only focus on one complex task at a time — multitasking near hazards increases risk.
Complacent behaviour includes skipping pre-use checks, not wearing PPE, and taking familiar shortcuts.
Personal stress, fatigue, and emotional distraction from events outside work also impair on-site concentration.
Near misses are often the first warning that distraction or complacency is becoming a problem on the team.
Behavioural safety programmes encourage workers to recognise when their attention has drifted and refocus.

Prevent accidents	A moment of distraction or complacency near moving plant, at height, or near excavations can be fatal.
Experience is not protection	Experienced workers are most at risk of complacency — familiarity breeds dangerous assumptions.
Culture improvement	Recognising and addressing distraction and complacency creates a more alert, safety-conscious workforce.

Do

Don't

Stay focused on the task and the hazards around you throughout every activity on site
Complete pre-use checks and PPE inspections every time, even on tasks you do daily
Put your mobile phone away during active construction work and plant operation
Speak up if you notice a colleague who appears distracted or is taking shortcuts
Use the pre-task briefing to consciously identify the hazards for the specific job ahead
Take a moment to refocus if personal worries or fatigue are affecting your concentration
Report near misses honestly — they are early warnings that attention levels are slipping
Rotate tasks where possible to break monotony and maintain alertness during the shift
Challenge yourself to spot one new hazard each day to keep your awareness sharp
Support colleagues who are going through difficult personal times that may affect focus

DON'T use your mobile phone while walking on site, operating plant, or working at height
DON'T skip pre-use checks or PPE because you have done the same task hundreds of times
DON'T assume you are too experienced to make a mistake — complacency kills experienced workers
DON'T ignore near misses — they tell you that distraction or complacency is present
DON'T try to multitask near moving plant, open excavations, or at height on site
DON'T wear headphones or earbuds on site where they block safety warnings and alarms
DON'T take shortcuts on familiar tasks — the hazards remain the same regardless
DON'T dismiss a colleague's concern about your focus — they may see risks you missed
DON'T work when severely fatigued or emotionally distressed without telling your supervisor
DON'T assume yesterday's safe conditions still apply today — reassess hazards every shift

See also: Situational Awareness on Site | Rushing and Shortcut Prevention

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