Safety Attitude: A positive safety attitude is evident by the behavior of the employee. Recognizing hazards before they occur and taking steps to eliminate those hazards is a good indicator of a positive safety attitude. Employees with positive safety attitudes generally display work behaviors and characteristics such as: Alertness to their surroundings and the ability to identify hazards and ways to prevent them. They are focused on the task at hand; Following safety rules and procedures even if it takes a little longer; and Taking personal responsibility to ensure their safety as well as their co-workers.
Safety Attitude: Employees with a negative safety attitude can often be identified by their work behaviors and work ethic. Some of these behaviors include: Complacency with work tasks; Taking unnecessary and unsafe short cuts; Being distracted by their surroundings and not paying close enough attention to detail; Not following safety rules and procedures; and Working while fatigued. They may make poor choices or a wrong move that could result in injury to themselves or others.
Slips, Trips and Falls: Slips, trips and falls are the most common source of injury in the workplace but are also the easiest hazards to prevent. SLIPS - Slips are caused predominately by wet surfaces due to spills. Not all slips are caused by the surface but may be caused by employee’s shoes. Employees should wear slip resistant shoes whenever possible, especially when working in areas prone to be wet. Marking and cleaning up spills immediately will prevent some workplace injuries.
Slips, Trips and Falls: TRIPS - The causes of trips are easily identifiable. Some are listed below: An object obstructing the view of an individual’s path; Hard to see walkways due to poor lighting; Clutter in the walkway; Wrinkled carpet; Uncovered cables crossing the path; and Uneven walkways (usually in doorways).
Slips, Trips and Falls: Ways to prevent common causes of trips include: Removing obstacles from walking path; Keeping work areas well lit. Replacing burned out light bulbs immediately; Rerouting or properly covering exposed cables that cross pathways; and Straightening, repairing or removing flooring that is loose.
Slips, Trips and Falls: FALLS - One risks falling when working at any elevation. Falls can also be the result of slips and trips. There are several things in the workplace that can result in a fall: Ladders that are damaged, used incorrectly or are on uneven ground; The improper use of scaffolding; and Climbing an object without fall protection. Fortunately, there are ways to prevent falling. Know the correct use of fall prevention equipment; Never use a ladder or scaffold improperly; and Repair or discard any defective equipment.
Back Safety: To minimize the possibility of back injury, you need to practice safe and correct lifting and carrying techniques. Here are some safety guidelines. Plan Ahead - Before lifting an object, know where it will be placed and clear the path of any obstacles. If lifting with another person, agree on the plan before hand. Check the Weight - Before you lift or carry an object, check its weight. Pick up a corner or push the object lightly. If the object is too heavy, get help or use a mechanical device. Never lift anything unless you are sure you can do so safely.
Back Safety: Lifting the Load Stand close to the object with your feet shoulder width apart. This will provide a solid base for lifting. Keep the back straight and bend at the knees. Never use the back to lift. Tighten the abdominal muscles. Doing so will help the back stay in a good lifting position and help keep from straining the back. Lift the object close to the body. This keeps the body stabilized while lifting. Lift with your legs. The leg muscles are much stronger than the back. Lift straight up, moving slowly. When turning, move your feet. Never twist or turn the back when lifting or carrying a load.
Back Safety: Carrying the Load Keep the back straight or slightly arched; Walk slowly keeping the load close to your body; Use your feet to change directions. Avoid twisting the back; Avoid leaning over; and Keep object close to your body and avoid lifting over your head.
Back Safety: Setting the Load Down Stand as close as possible to where you want to set the object; Squat down to lower the object using your legs. Don’t bend at the waist; Keep your head up and avoid twisting your body while setting the object down; and Only release the object when it is located where you want it. To avoid injury don’t release your grip until the object is secured. Always work with another person when lifting a heavy object. Use special equipment whenever possible to move items.
Musculoskeletal Disorders : Musculoskeletal disorders or MSDs, are illnesses which gradually damage muscles, tendons and nerves in the hands, wrists, elbows, shoulders, neck and back. No job is exempt from the risk of MSDs. Whether it is construction, cashiering, mechanic, lifters, keyboarders or other employment, Musculoskeletal Disorders are commonly caused by: Repetitive motions; Awkward working positions; Long periods of time in one position; and Use of steady force.
Musculoskeletal Disorders : Many companies use ergonomics to help prevent Musculoskeletal Disorders. Ergonomics is the science of designing and arranging items and equipment people use, so the person and items work together efficiently and safely. Some of the ways employees can help minimize Musculoskeletal Disorders are: Avoid repetitive motions; Alternate positions frequently; Take regular breaks; Use a power tool instead of a manual tool; Keep wrists straight rather than bent or flexed; and Adjust chairs for comfort and good posture.
General Safety Rules
Fire Safety Fire hazards are present everywhere. Prevention is the best defense against this hazard. Your employer is required to have a fire prevention plan that, at a minimum, includes: A list of major fire hazards, proper handling and storage procedures, potential fire sources & their control and the type of equipment needed to control each major hazard; Procedures to control accumulations of flammable and combustible waste material; Procedures for regular maintenance of safeguards installed on heat-producing equipment to prevent the accidental ignition of combustible materials;
Fire Safety The name or job title of employees responsible for maintenance on equipment used to prevent or control sources of ignition or fires; and The name or job title of employees responsible for control of fuel source hazards. You should know how to use the fire alarm installed in your workplace, as well as the locations of all extinguishers.
Fire Safety Different classes of fires: Class A fires are the most common. They usually ignite from wood, paper, rubber, plastic or cloth; Class B fires are caused by flammable liquids, gases and grease; Class C fires start from electrical current; Class D fires involve flammable metals including sodium, titanium, magnesium, potassium and lithium; Class K fires are a sub-category of Class B fires and typically burn at a higher temperature. Involves cooking and vegetable oils, grease and fats.
Fire Safety Different fires require different extinguishing agents. Water - use on Class A only, removes heat Dry Chemical - use on A, B or C, inhibits chemical reaction Wet Chemical - developed specifically for use on Class K fires. Extinguishes fire by forming soapy foam blanket over burning liquid and cooling temps to below its ignition point. Can sometimes be used on Class B and C fires. Carbon Dioxide – use on B or C, removes oxygen from the fire. Ineffective on Class A fires because the fire can continue to smolder and possibly reignite. Also, the high-pressure discharge can cause the burning materials to scatter with a Class A fire. Halogenated or Clean Agent – used mainly on Class C fires but can also be used on Class A and B fires, as well. These types of extinguishers also remove the oxygen from the fire.
Fire Safety Metl-X – use on D Foam – use on Class A and B fires only. There are different types of Foam Extinguishers, and you need to be aware of which type you are using and its proper use and limitations. Foam holds down the vapors and is mostly for professional use. During a fire emergency you should remember the four A's: - Activate the fire alarm or contact 911; - Assist others in exiting the building; Attempt to extinguish; and Assemble in a predetermined location outside of the building.
Fire Safety Only attempt to extinguish a fire when: The fire is small and contained; You are safe from toxic smoke; You have a means of escape; and Your instincts tell you it is OK. You must know how to use an extinguisher before attempting to extinguish a fire. Make sure you are using the correct extinguisher, or it could actually spread the fire. Use the PASS system: Pull the pin by the handle; Aim the hose of the extinguisher at the base of the fire; Squeeze the trigger; and Sweep from side to side.
First Aid First aid is limited care for an illness or injury until trained medical attention can arrive. Not all injuries require higher levels of treatment. Be prepared: Know the locations of all first aid kits; Know the location of the nearest eye wash and emergency shower; and Know who is CPR certified in your department. The “3 P's” of first aid: Preserve life; Prevent injury; and Promote recovery.
First Aid Know what to do in an emergency. Call for medical help. Know the phone number to be contacted. Know the type of injury. Know the location of victim. Check to see if victim is breathing. If necessary, move victim from danger. Report every incident to your employer. The accident will then be investigated to help prevent it from happening again.
Work at Height Fall from height is most serious cause of accidents on construction projects Safe scaffold platforms and safe ladders Use of safety harness Training for work at height Falling objects cause injuries Protection of tools and material roll over Area must be barricaded underneath
Hazardous Chemicals Chemical exposure may contribute to or cause many serious health problems and many chemicals are also serious safety hazards. Employees have a right to understand the hazards and the identities of the chemicals to which they are exposed. The following steps are necessary to ensure the safety of all employees: A list of all hazardous chemicals must be kept in the workplace or at the jobsite and must be kept current; Safety Data Sheets must be obtained for each hazardous chemical. The Safety Data Sheet is a standardized, 16-section, detailed information bulletin prepared by the manufacturer or importer of a chemical which describes the chemical; Each chemical must be properly labeled;
Hazardous Chemicals A written hazard communication program covering the list of chemicals, use of labels, Safety Data Sheets and employee training must be established and implemented; Chemical hazard information must be communicated to all employees; and Equipment and training concerning protective measures to prevent exposure to chemicals and reduce the risk of working with hazardous chemicals, must be provided.
Hazardous Chemicals When dealing with chemicals employees should: take training seriously and pay attention; read labels and Safety Data Sheets; know where to find the Safety Data Sheets; use appropriate PPE; know correct emergency procedures; and use safe work habits. For consumer products such as window cleaner, toilet bowl cleaner and dishwashing liquid, when used in the same manner and with the same duration and frequency that a normal household consumer would use them at home, employees should follow the safety guidelines printed on the container.
Electrical Safety Many workers are unaware of the potential electrical hazards present in their work environment. A variety of possible solutions may be implemented to reduce or eliminate the risk of injury associated with electrical work. To manage electricity safely: Examine all cords and plugs routinely. Do not use damaged equipment and report damaged equipment to your supervisor. Report all shocks immediately to your supervisor – even tingles. Never work around electricity when you or your surroundings are wet. This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY
Electrical Safety
Ladder Safety Unsafe use of ladder may cause serious injuries Check ladder before use Place at 75 degrees Hold the ladder to avoid slip accident to Extend ladder one meter above the landing point