Accidents Are Avoidable - Safety Topic

 

Each time someone is injured, we need to ask ourselves “how did it happen?” 

Accidents just don’t happen, they are caused. Accidents are usually a result of someone not paying attention or not knowing how to recognize a job safety hazard. Jobs with effective safety attitudes have about a fifth as many injuries compared to those without the safety attitude. Today we will discuss some general rules to follow and the four hazard avoidance rules.

General Rules 

• Learn the safe way to do your job
• Don’t jump from one elevation to another.
• Don’t work under suspended loads
• Remove protruding nails or bend them over
• Keep the work area clear of debris
• Use the personal protective equipment required for the job
• Treat all electrical wires as being “live.” 
• Use the right tool for the right job
• Be sure all tools are in good shape

Four Hazard Avoidance Rules 

• Know the safe way to work, and then follow the safe way all the time.
• Maintain safe working conditions – for yourself and others around you
• Work safely, setting the example, and encourage others to do so
• Report all accidents and near misses

Remember: 

Remember to ask yourself if you are following the basic common sense rules? 

If you aren’t following them, then take the chance and you will have or cause an accident. 

Keep asking yourself “how can I make my work safer?” 

Doing so and you’ll probably not have a serious accident, and help prevent a serious accident for a fellow worker

Think safely in everything you do 

Safety First

Prevent Accidents - Safety Topic

 

Have you ever wondered what you can do to prevent accidents? 

Remember accidents don’t just happen. They are caused eliminate the cause you eliminate the accident.  

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT 

Here's something to think about. Statistics show that in many cases an accident could have been prevented by the victim. And, in other cases, by a co-worker.  In other words, that person or someone else working on the job could have prevented it.  

SEVEN SUGGESTIONS

1. Make accident prevention a part of your daily routine: Plan safety in advance. Before beginning a job, be sure your tools are in good condition. Also, see that you have the required protective equipment.” Let safety be a habit”  
2. Report unsafe acts or conditions to your supervisor: If you see something that's dangerous or someone working in an unsafe way, do something about it. If it's an unsafe condition, correct it if you can. Otherwise, report it to someone who has the authority or ability to do so. If you see someone committing an unsafe act, warn that person in a friendly way.   
3. Avoid horseplay: Aren't you always telling your kids to knock it off before someone gets hurt? Well, horse- play is dangerous for kids of any age. On a job you can easily be injured if you're not strictly business all of the time. Often a person is killed or hurt when a "harmless" prank or a practical joke backfires.   
4. Follow instructions: You'd follow instructions if you were dismantling a time bomb - and very carefully at that. Well, take the same attitude on the job. When we give you instructions, it's only after we've considered the safest and best way to do it. Sometimes doing something just a little different from what you were told can get you or someone else in a lot of trouble. 
5. Make suggestions: If you see a better way to do something, let someone know. Check it out and if it's practical, use it. But first make sure it's safe.   
6. Practice good housekeeping: Nobody likes a slob .its upsetting to see someone with a messy work area. And it goes even further than that. A sloppy work area is not only hard on the eyes, but a breeding ground for accidents. Trash and materials strewn around can result in trips, falls, and fires.   
7. Dress for the job: In addition to wearing protective equipment, dress so that you won't get hurt. Don't wear floppy clothing (such as loose sleeves or cuffs) or jewelry that can catch on something or become entangled in machinery. 

Think safe - work safe - live safe

Think safely in everything you do 

Safety First

Was it an accident or was it an error - Safety Topic

 

What is an accident? 

Briefly, it is a sudden and unforeseen event. Given that definition, can we say that the Apollo fire that killed three astronauts on the launch pad, and the Challenger disaster, were accidents?

The first Apollo fatalities were due to a fire that occurred when the spacecraft cabin was charged with pure oxygen during a test. Unfortunately, there was an electrical short under the seat of one of the astronauts. Oxygen fed the resulting fire. The men could not escape because of a poorly designed escape hatch that took too long to open even under ideal conditions. It is well known that pure oxygen atmospheres are very dangerous. It has also been recognized for many years that escape hatches must be simple to use and designed so they will open quickly.

The Challenger exploded because cold temperatures effected the performance of a seal already stressed due to an inadequate design. Previous Challenger inspections had shown that the seals were not holding up as intended during launches, and it was known that low temperatures would degrade them further.

What do these events have in common? 

In every case, there were experts in charge and plenty of opportunities to anticipate problems. Experience should have told them to take corrective action long before the disastrous incidents took place. So why--in spite of all the warning signs--were these conditions allowed to exist? The answer is simple: The warning signs were overlooked. 

So ask the question again:

 "Were they accidents or were they errors?"

Be alert to warnings and take heed when they are encountered. Irritated by the metal filings hitting you in the face and eyes while you grind? This is a warning that you need eye and face protection. 

Do you keep banging your knuckles when your wrench slips? That is your warning that an old favorite tool may be worn out and need replacing. Have you or a co-worker ever suffered an injury because you failed to anticipate and ward off possible dangers?

Think about what could go wrong before you act! If something minor goes wrong, this is a warning to stop! Consider what has gone awry. Figure out what should be done to resolve the problem, then take care of it! Accidents are usually errors on someone's part. They are not an incidental part of the job. If you accept the mind set that they are, accidents will occur.

This is your challenge: Think about what pitfalls may come up during work tasks. Recognize the early warning signs of things going wrong. Have the strength to stand up and say:

"Hold on a minute. Let's think about this!" 

Think safe - work safe - live safe

Think safely in everything you do 

Safety First