When you’re familiar with a line of work, it can be easy to get a little lax and take shortcuts. But no matter how skilled you are, accidents can happen. There are some safety measures you just shouldn’t skip.
Give Space
Make sure all walkways and workspaces are clear of debris. Garbage should be disposed of immediately instead of left to accumulate, which includes breaking down cardboard boxes and packing material that may be reused.
Personal items should be kept at workstations, or in lockers or vehicles. If you’re working with multiple people, they should remain at their own, well-spaced stations. Casual gatherings to chat should be kept outside or in designated break areas.
With machinery, guards should be installed to prevent hands and clothes from getting sucked in, and to shut the machine off if they do. Everyone that handles or services equipment should be apprised of lockout/tagout to properly handle shutdown of the equipment when necessary.
Stay Current
The facility itself should have a fire inspection annually and do regular safety audits. The latter isn’t just an evaluation of the building, but the procedures and employees’ implementation of them. Equipment such as extinguishers and eyewash stations should be checked regularly to ensure they’re good to go when needed.
If you’re working with large equipment, such as an overhead crane, inspections should be done regularly. If you notice any malfunctions or missing parts, crane repairs Knoxville should be done immediately, even if the equipment is still technically operational. It might be tempting to wait to repair due to finances, but what is a fixable problem might turn into a bigger nightmare that could cost you the equipment—and your safety.
Protect Yourself
PPE (personal protective equipment) should be readily available for use. It should be kept somewhere accessible where it can stay clean and dry. These can be masks and nitrile gloves, but also things like back braces, work gloves and boots with gripping tread.
If you’re handling hazardous material, you should wear gear that follows OSHA guidelines. Even if it’s just a little amount of something being handled for just a minute, you should still protect yourself with the proper gear. Accidents can happen in as little as a second.
When lifting heavy material, braces should be utilized in addition to proper technique. If you lift with your back instead of your legs, you can injure yourself rather severely—and immediately.
By ignoring safety procedures, you’re playing roulette. Lucky streaks end, and it’s better to be safe than sorry.
