As a general rule we must all be aware of, understand and apply the following to be able to maintain safe work practice and demonstrate positive behaviour.
- Know your Emergency Response Plan and all instructions to seek emergency help.
- Always be aware of Surroundings and Field Conditions
- Observe all safety policies, regulations, safe work practices, and job instructions for your job or occupation.
- Correct safety hazards and unsafe conditions you can handle yourself. Report others to your supervisor.
- Congested storage, poor housekeeping, poor lighting, broken equipment, blocked exits and aisles, and other unsafe conditions can lead to accidents.
- Observe all warning signs and safety colour coding:
The colour “red” is used to identify fire protection equipment, dangerous conditions, a biological hazard, or stop signs/stop controls on machinery. The colour “orange” is used to indicate a warning. The colour “yellow” is used to denote caution and physical hazards.
- Always have your Hard Hat, Safety Clothing/Vest, Ear, Eye and Hand Protection.
- Be your brother’s keeper: Warn your fellow employee when you see an accident about to happen, or if he or she is committing an unsafe act.
- Know the personal protective equipment required for your job, and use it. Some jobs require special protective equipment, such as gloves, goggles, safety glasses, face masks, etc.
If you don’t have this information, contact your supervisor.
- Don’t block or obstruct fire doors, escape routes, or sprinkler heads.
- Walk, Don’t Run, except in emergency situations.
- Wear steal toe boots with good traction and be especially cautious on slippery walkways.
- Employees should never enter a “confined space” without knowing the atmosphere within the zone such as a manhole, pit, underground vault, chamber, tank, a place with little ventilation, or a place where they could be trapped or locked inside; i.e. a permit must be in place.
- Avoid carrying loads that obstruct your vision.
- Observe safe lifting practices: Size up a load before you attempt to lift it. Lift with your legs, not your back.
People vary in the amount of weight they can safely lift, depending on their physical body structures. In general, avoid lifting heavy or awkward objects by yourself.
Get help or use a machine or hand truck.
- Shelves and storage areas should be kept free of any accumulation of materials that could cause tripping, falling objects and fires.
- Make sure tools and equipment are in safe condition before using them. All electric power tools must be grounded (either double insulated, or with a 3-prong grounding plug).
- All power machinery must be guarded.
- Use machinery only when you have been authorized to do so and when you have received safety training.
Never remove a lock or tag on an electrical panel or piece of machinery.
- Always use hand rails while ascending/descending staircases.
“The recipe for perpetual ignorance is: Be satisfied with your opinions and content with your knowledge.” Elbert