22 Jul Common Sense Safety

Common Sense Safety

Many workplace hazards can be prevented through planning, good housekeeping, proper equipment, and attention to basic safety practices. Take time to look around your work area, recognize hazards, and correct unsafe conditions before they result in an injury.

Maintain Good Housekeeping

A clean and orderly workplace reduces the risk of slips, trips, falls, fires, and struck-by injuries.

• Remove trash, scrap, broken materials, and unnecessary items from work areas.
• Keep aisles, walkways, stairs, and exits clear.
• Clean up spills promptly.
• Store tools and materials in designated locations.
• Stack materials securely so they cannot shift, slide, or fall.
• Never allow materials to obstruct emergency equipment, electrical panels, or exits.

If you see a housekeeping hazard, correct it when safe and authorized to do so or report it to your supervisor.

Wear the Required PPE

Personal protective equipment (PPE) must be selected based on the hazards of the task and work environment.

Depending on the work being performed, PPE may include:

• Safety glasses, goggles, or face shields;
• Hard hats;
• Hearing protection;
• Gloves;
• Safety footwear;
• High-visibility clothing; and
• Other task-specific protective equipment.

Inspect PPE before use and replace damaged or defective equipment. PPE should never be used as a substitute for eliminating or controlling a hazard when more effective controls are available.

Use Electrical Tools Safely

Inspect electrical tools, equipment, plugs, and cords before use.

• Do not use tools with damaged cords, plugs, switches, or housings.
• Use properly grounded or double-insulated tools as designed.
• Never remove or defeat a grounding prong.
• Use ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) protection where required.
• Keep electrical equipment away from water and wet conditions unless it is specifically designed for such use.
• Remove damaged electrical equipment from service until it has been properly repaired.

Keep Machine Guards in Place

Machine and power-tool guards protect workers from blades, rotating parts, flying material, and other hazards.

Never remove, bypass, defeat, or operate equipment without required guards or safety devices in place.

Before making repairs, adjustments, clearing jams, or performing servicing that could expose workers to hazardous energy, follow applicable lockout/tagout procedures.

Inspect Ladders Before Use

Inspect portable ladders before use and make sure they are appropriate for the task.

Check for:

• Broken or missing rungs;
• Cracked or split rails;
• Damaged hardware;
• Missing or damaged nonslip feet;
• Oil, grease, or other slippery substances; and
• Other conditions that could make the ladder unsafe.

Do not use a defective ladder. Tag it or otherwise identify it as defective and remove it from service until repaired in accordance with manufacturer requirements or properly disposed of.

Maintain Fire Protection

Fire extinguishers must be readily accessible, properly located, and appropriate for the hazards present.

• Keep access to extinguishers clear.
• Do not block or conceal extinguishers with materials or equipment.
• Know the location of extinguishers in your work area.
• Inspect portable extinguishers as required.
• Report missing, damaged, discharged, or inaccessible extinguishers.

Employees expected or authorized to use fire extinguishers must receive appropriate instruction or training.

Keep Exits and Stairs Safe

Emergency exits and escape routes must remain clearly identified and unobstructed.

• Never store materials in exit routes.
• Keep exit doors and signs visible.
• Maintain required illuminated exit signs and emergency lighting.
• Clearly identify doors or passageways that could be mistaken for exits.
• Keep stairs free of debris and other hazards.
• Report damaged stairs, handrails, or walking surfaces.

Never sacrifice emergency access for temporary storage or convenience.

Communicate About Safety

Regular safety communication helps workers recognize hazards before an incident occurs. Toolbox talks, training, pre-task planning, and discussions between employees and supervisors provide opportunities to address changing workplace conditions.

Employees should be encouraged to:

• Ask questions when unsure how to perform a task safely.
• Report unsafe conditions and defective equipment.
• Participate in safety meetings and training.
• Discuss hazards before beginning unfamiliar or non-routine work.
• Stop and seek guidance when conditions change or the work cannot be performed safely.

Remember

Common sense safety means looking before acting, planning before starting, using equipment correctly, maintaining an orderly workplace, and correcting hazards when they are identified.

Never assume that a hazard is someone else’s responsibility. Everyone has a role in maintaining a safe workplace.