Working together to reduce workplace accidents

• • Before beginning a job, be sure your tools are in good condition. Also, see that you have the required protective equipment. If your work requires you to wear a hardhat, goggles and safety shoes, then wear them!

• • 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 jewellery that can catch on something or become entangled in machinery.

• • Always be alert on the job. It will not only prevent accidents from happening at work but will also enhance your performance and lead to a possible promotion. Most accidents at work happen because the person feels sleepy while working.

• • Listen and actively participate during emergency drills. You don’t want to be the one who is left behind to face grave danger during an emergency.

• • Don’t take shortcuts. It’s natural to want to get the job finished on schedule or even ahead of time, but with a “get it done quickly” attitude, accidents can happen.

• • Never do a high-risk job for which you’ve not been properly trained. You’ll not only expose yourself to danger but may expose other people to danger as well.

• • Always follow the safety programme of your workplace. Sometimes doing something just a little differently from what you were told can get you or someone else into a lot of trouble.

• • Avoid horseplay. A person can be killed or hurt when a “harmless” prank or a practical joke backfires.

• • Stick to the instructions and work with diligence and awareness of your surroundings. If there are shortcomings in the instructions, don’t begin the work until they are clarified and all your questions are answered. You must always be comfortable and familiar with the procedure before commencing any work.

• • 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, and if you see a safer way of doing something, bring it to the attention of your supervisor.

• • Practise good housekeeping. A messy work area is not only unsightly, it’s also a breeding ground for accidents. Paper, debris, clutter, spills and materials strewn around can result in trips, falls and fires.

• • Mark potential safety concerns with the proper signage and instructions. If, for example, you’re rewiring an area of the workplace or doing construction on a piece of railing, make sure that your fellow employees have been informed by memo and place an appropriate, visible sign near where the potential hazard could occur.

Sources
www.character-training.com
www.toolboxtopics.com
www.wikihow.com