Shop Safety Instructor Note: Perform a self-inspection prior to making a shop safety presentation. Look for anything that is out of place. Check against the Guide for Discussion for items to point out. Introduction: The safe work practices we do in our shop are often the same practices we take out of our shop and into our homes. What we want to talk about today is what makes shop safety a little different than what we normally do. Guide for Discussion Discuss in-shop procedures initiated to ensure that frequent and regular inspections are conducted to identify potential hazards in materials and equipment in the...

Recognizing Unsafe Conditions Recognizing unsafe conditions, or hazards in the workplace is not just a Safety Committee's responsibility. It is everyone’s responsibility from the most junior employee to the company president to identify hazards and make suggestions on how to fix the problem. Guide for Discussion Causes of unsafe conditions or actions: Poor housekeeping. Horseplay. Confused material storage. Careless handling of materials. Improper or defective tools Lack of machine guarding; failure to install warning systems. Lack of or failure to wear proper personal protection equipment. Weather. Worker not dressing for the job to be done. Failure to follow instructions. Steps to take once an...

Why Accidents Occur Every accident is caused by a breakdown in one of four areas: the worker, the tools used, the materials used, or the methods used. Often there is a breakdown in at least two areas; one being the worker and the other coming from one of the three other areas. The accident’s cause usually results from an unsafe act or an unsafe condition. Today we will review some types of unsafe acts, the results from, and unsafe conditions. Guide for Discussion Types of Unsafe Acts: Operating a tool or some equipment without authority. Working at an unsafe speed. Using unsafe or...

Safety Training Steps Preparation Select a topic. Use a priority sequence. Accidents/incidents, demonstrated lack of skills, required or mandatory training (e.g., fall protection, ladders and stairways.) Choose a good location to train (away from noise and other distractions). Research the subject; include company policies and procedures If a new subject, ask what the audience already knows (so you can avoid covering that information in great detail) Always have a good attitude when training! Presentation Describe what is going to be taught Tell why the subject (or training) is important Describe safety procedures, general and specific If necessary, demonstrate safety procedures; one step...

Scaffold Safety Rules General Before starting work on a scaffold, inspect it for the following: Are guardrails, toeboards, and planking in place and secure? Are locking pins at each joint in place? Are all wheels on moveable scaffolds locked? Do not attempt to gain access to a scaffold by climbing on it (unless it is specifically designed for climbing – always use a ladder. Scaffolds and their components must be capable of supporting four times the maximum intended load. Any scaffold, including accessories such as braces, brackets, trusses, screw legs, ladders, etc., damaged or weakened in any way, must be immediately...

Emergency Action Plan Sample Written Program This sample emergency action plan is provided as a guide to help you, the employer, implement OSHA's standard for emergency action plans, 29 CFR 1910.38.. In order to comply with the standard and protect employees in emergencies, you must tailor the plan to your worksite and the work that you do. Be sure to modify the sample to reflect the actual conditions at your worksite. Because OSHA requirements provide minimal protection for employees, you may choose to include additional protection in your plan. An emergency action plan describes the actions employees should take in case of...

CARBON MONOXIDE (CO) Carbon monoxide is a clear, odorless, heavier-than-air gas that is created by inefficient combustion emissions. The most common sources in industry are gasoline or diesel-powered pressure washers, air compressors, forklifts or other petroleum-fired machinery. The chemical makeup of CO is a carbon molecule linked to an oxygen molecule. The carbon molecule makes CO heavier than air and will not allow the lungs to absorb oxygen into the bloodstream. Without oxygen, you will slowly suffocate to death. What does this mean for workers? As the CO fills the space, it displaces oxygen and will affect workers as follows: Slight headache and...

Electrical Hazards Electrical hazards are doubly hazardous in that there is not only the chance of electrocution, but there is also the probability that any electric shock will cause a loss of consciousness that may well result in a fall of some sort. Today we will discuss methods of receiving an electric shock and ways to avoid electrical hazards. Guide for Discussion Methods of Receiving an Electric Shock From a defective power tool. From defective extension cords. From overloading a switch or over-riding a by-pass. By not grounding electrical equipment or using Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters. By coming in close contact with live...

Fire Protection and Control Most fires are a result of inattention to the job site operations and surrounding conditions. This lack of attention or protection can result in the loss of life and property. All fires can be easily extinguished if caught soon enough and the proper extinguishing tools are handy. Guide for Discussion Steps to Remember When a Fire Starts: Sound an alarm—yell if necessary. Warn those near the fire. If possible and the fire is small, try to extinguish it. Call the Fire Department if the fire can’t be easily and quickly extinguished. Evacuate the area if the fire can’t be...

Power Lines and Mobile Cranes Instructor Note: This has been added to the Tool Box talks because electric line companies get very upset when a crane (or dump truck bed or other piece of heavy equipment) gets close to or touches a power line. It can also cost you your life! Introduction: It is not uncommon to work around power lines; however, the potential hazards to workers are enormous; workers just have to work safer. Guide for Discussion How to Avoid Electrocution Locate all power supplies. Besides this being the state law, it’s smart. Have the Power Company inform you of the voltage and...