22 Mar Shop Safety – Safe Work Practices

Shop Safety – Safe Work Practices

Shop safety requires employees to recognize and control hazards associated with machinery, tools, material handling, electrical equipment, vehicle movement, housekeeping, and other shop activities. Regular inspections and consistent safe work practices help identify hazards before they result in injuries.

Guide for Discussion

Shop Inspections

Frequent and regular inspections should be conducted to identify unsafe conditions, damaged equipment, and changing hazards.

Employees, supervisors, and other designated personnel should remain alert for:

• Damaged or improperly guarded machinery.
• Defective hand and power tools.
• Electrical hazards.
• Unsafe material storage.
• Slip, trip, and fall hazards.
• Blocked aisles, exits, or emergency equipment.
• Leaks, spills, and other housekeeping problems.
• Unsafe operation of vehicles or material-handling equipment.
• Overhead and falling-object hazards.

Employees should correct hazards when authorized and safe to do so or immediately report them to their supervisor.

Housekeeping and Walking/Working Surfaces

Good housekeeping is an essential part of maintaining a safe shop.

• Keep floors, aisles, stairs, and walkways clean and unobstructed.
• Clean spills promptly or barricade the area until the hazard can be corrected.
• Keep cords, hoses, tools, and materials out of walking paths.
• Properly store tools and materials after use.
• Dispose of scrap and waste in designated containers.
• Maintain adequate clearance around electrical panels, emergency equipment, and exits.
• Do not allow materials to create falling-object hazards.

Moving Equipment and Overhead Hazards

Forklifts, cranes, hoists, vehicles, and suspended loads can expose employees to struck-by and caught-between hazards.

• Stay alert for moving equipment.
• Use designated pedestrian routes where provided.
• Establish eye contact with equipment operators before approaching.
• Never walk or work beneath suspended loads.
• Stay clear of crane and equipment operating areas.
• Never position yourself between moving equipment and a fixed object.
• Only trained and authorized employees may operate equipment when authorization is required.

Machine Guarding

Machines must have required guards and safety devices properly installed before use.

Inspect equipment for:

• Point-of-operation guards.
• Guards over belts, pulleys, gears, shafts, and other moving components.
• Anti-kickback devices where required.
• Emergency stops and other safety controls.
• Properly functioning interlocks and protective devices.

Never remove, bypass, defeat, or modify a machine guard or safety device. Report missing or defective guards and remove affected equipment from service when necessary.

Hand and Power Tools

Use tools only for their intended purpose and according to manufacturer instructions.

• Inspect tools before use.
• Select the correct tool for the task.
• Keep cutting tools properly maintained.
• Remove damaged tools from service.
• Keep electrical cords away from heat, oil, sharp edges, and traffic.
• Never carry electrical tools by their cords.
• Secure workpieces when necessary.
• Disconnect or isolate power before servicing equipment or changing accessories when required.

Personal Protective Equipment

Wear PPE appropriate for the hazards of the task.

Depending on the work, required protection may include:

• Safety glasses or goggles.
• Face shields.
• Hearing protection.
• Safety footwear.
• Gloves appropriate for the task.
• Hard hats.
• Respiratory protection.

PPE does not replace required machine guarding or other engineering controls.

Hazard Communication

Employees must know how to obtain information about hazardous chemicals used in the shop.

• Know where Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) are maintained or how they can be accessed electronically.
• Read labels and SDS information before using unfamiliar chemicals.
• Never use chemicals from unlabeled or improperly labeled containers.
• Follow required handling, storage, PPE, and disposal procedures.
• Immediately report chemical spills or releases according to established procedures.

The term Safety Data Sheet (SDS) has replaced the older term Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS).

Emergency Equipment and Information

Employees should know the location of and how to access:

• Emergency exits and evacuation routes.
• Fire extinguishers.
• First-aid supplies.
• Emergency eyewash and shower equipment, where provided.
• Emergency telephone numbers and reporting procedures.
• SDSs and hazard communication information.
• Emergency response and medical procedures.
• Required workplace safety postings.

Never block emergency exits, fire extinguishers, electrical panels, eyewash stations, or other emergency equipment.

Electrical Safety

Inspect electrical equipment before use and remain alert for:

• Damaged cords or plugs.
• Missing grounding prongs.
• Exposed conductors.
• Damaged receptacles.
• Improper extension-cord use.
• Wet conditions near electrical equipment.
• Overloaded circuits or temporary wiring.

Remove defective electrical equipment from service and report it for proper repair or replacement.

Training and Authorization

Employees must receive appropriate training before operating machinery or equipment for which specialized knowledge or authorization is required.

Do not operate unfamiliar equipment unless you:

• Have received appropriate training.
• Understand the equipment’s hazards and controls.
• Know the required PPE.
• Understand emergency shutdown procedures.
• Are authorized to operate the equipment when authorization is required.

Ask your supervisor when you are uncertain about the safe operation of any machine or tool.

Before Starting Work

Look around your work area and ask:

• Are floors and walkways clear?
• Are machine guards installed?
• Are tools and equipment in safe condition?
• Am I wearing the correct PPE?
• Are chemicals properly labeled and stored?
• Are emergency exits and equipment accessible?
• Are forklifts, cranes, or other moving equipment operating nearby?
• Could anything fall, move, start unexpectedly, or expose me to hazardous energy?

Correct or report unsafe conditions before beginning the task.

Remember

A safe shop depends on more than rules and equipment. Maintain good housekeeping, inspect your work area, use machinery correctly, wear required PPE, and report hazards as soon as they are discovered.