14 Jun Accident Prevention

Accident Prevention

Most workplace accidents can be prevented when employees recognize hazards, follow established procedures, and take responsibility for working safely. Accident prevention starts before the job begins and continues throughout the workday. Everyone on the project has a responsibility to protect themselves, coworkers, contractors, customers, and the public.

Basic Safety and Health Practices

• Plan the work. Complete required Job Safety Analyses (JSAs) and review the hazards, controls, and safety requirements before beginning each task.
• Inspect the work area. Look for changing conditions, unsafe equipment, poor lighting, trip hazards, overhead hazards, and other conditions that could cause an incident.
• Know the job. Understand the proper procedure before starting work and never operate tools or equipment unless you know how to use them safely.
• Protect yourself and others. Consider how your work could affect nearby employees, contractors, vendors, equipment, and the public. Use signs, barricades, or other controls when needed.
• Use required PPE. Inspect and properly wear the personal protective equipment required for the task and hazards.
• Prevent falls. Use required fall protection and maintain proper tie-off when exposed to fall hazards.
• Control hazardous energy. Follow applicable lockout/tagout and energy-isolation procedures before servicing, repairing, or working around hazardous energy.
• Practice safe material handling. Use proper lifting techniques and mechanical assistance when loads are heavy, awkward, or difficult to handle safely.
• Maintain good housekeeping. Keep tools, materials, cords, debris, and scrap from creating slip, trip, struck-by, or other hazards.
• Stay alert. Pay attention to your surroundings, changing conditions, moving equipment, vehicles, and the activities of other workers.
• Obey signs and barricades. Follow posted warnings, restricted-area requirements, traffic controls, and other safety instructions.
• Be visible. Wear required high-visibility clothing when working around vehicles, mobile equipment, or traffic.
• Report hazards and near misses. Correct unsafe conditions when authorized and report hazards, damaged equipment, and near misses promptly.
• Report injuries and illnesses. Notify your supervisor promptly of work-related injuries and illnesses.
• Know emergency procedures. Understand alarms, evacuation routes, assembly locations, and other project-specific emergency requirements.
• Avoid horseplay and distractions. Stay focused on the work and avoid behavior that could place yourself or others at risk.

Accident prevention is not a one-time activity. Plan the job, recognize the hazards, control the risks, and continue watching for changing conditions until the work is complete.