22 Mar Common Sense Safety – Preventing Workplace Accidents

Common Sense Safety – Preventing Workplace Accidents

Common sense safety means recognizing hazards, thinking before acting, and avoiding unnecessary risks that can lead to workplace accidents and injuries. Safe work requires more than simply knowing the rules—it requires applying good judgment to every task.

Guide for Discussion

Think Before You Act

Many workplace injuries can be prevented by taking a few moments to evaluate the job before beginning.

• Stop and think before starting a task.
• Identify potential hazards and determine how they will be controlled.
• Follow established safe work procedures.
• Never take shortcuts that compromise safety.
• Do not perform work you have not been trained or authorized to perform.
• Ask your supervisor when you are unsure how to perform a task safely.

Use the Right Equipment

• Always wear the required personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Select the proper tool or equipment for the job.
• Inspect tools and equipment before use.
• Remove damaged or defective equipment from service and report it.
• Never remove, bypass, or defeat guards or safety devices.
• Use mechanical assistance or ask for help when a load is too heavy or awkward to handle safely.

Avoid Unnecessary Risks

• Never overreach while working from a ladder or elevated surface.
• Maintain proper footing and balance.
• Stay focused on the task and avoid distractions.
• Never engage in horseplay.
• Keep hands and body parts away from pinch points and moving equipment.
• Maintain good housekeeping and keep walking and working surfaces clear.
• Correct unsafe conditions when authorized and safe to do so, or report them immediately.

Look Out for Each Other

Safety is a shared responsibility. Employees should watch for conditions or actions that could injure themselves, coworkers, contractors, or members of the public.

• Warn coworkers when you recognize an immediate hazard.
• Respect barricades, warning signs, and restricted areas.
• Communicate before beginning tasks that could affect others.
• Report unsafe acts and conditions.
• Stop and seek assistance when conditions change or the work cannot be performed safely.

Ask Before You Begin

Before starting work, consider:

• Are conditions safe for the work being performed?
• Are we using the safest appropriate method?
• Does everyone understand the task?
• Does everyone know how to perform the work safely?
• Do we have the correct tools and PPE?
• Could someone fall?
• Could someone be struck by an object or equipment?
• Could someone become caught in, caught between, or crushed by equipment or materials?
• Is there an electrical hazard?
• Are there other hazards that need to be controlled before work begins?

If the answer reveals an uncontrolled hazard, address it before proceeding.

Remember

Good judgment is an important part of every safe job. Think about the task, recognize the hazards, follow established procedures, and never allow convenience or speed to take priority over safety.