An exercise in mindfulness

How about this group exercise for a safety meeting? Pass out raisins to all participants at the meeting and ask them to place the raisin on their tongues. Then, request all of them to close their eyes and very slowly chew their raisins, attending to every aspect of it: its shape, texture and taste. The aim is to become aware – or mindful, of every aspect of this single raisin-eating experience.

Why would you want employees at a safety meeting eating raisins? By intentionally slowing down to eat the raisin and carefully thinking about the experience, employees learn the difference between mindful and mindless work practices, which enhances safe thinking.