Power Tools Safety Power tools get jobs done with efficiency and reduced effort. But with power comes responsibility. Power tools can cause injury and even death if they are not used properly. Appropriate training, safe work practices, and power tool maintenance are key to preventing accidents. Only trained workers should use power tools on the job. Training should include reviewing the instruction manual, how to inspect the tools before each use, and following the manufacturer’s maintenance schedule. When maintaining and inspecting power tools, keep the followings tips in mind: Use properly sized fittings and parts for the power tools. Keep tool cutting edges...

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...

The Deadly Dozen We all know that there must be a cause for an accident to happen. In order to avoid accidents, we must remove the cause. Every cause is a result of an unsafe act or unsafe condition. By recognizing the unsafe act or condition, we can effectively remove the exposure to them. The following “deadly dozen” are reminders to help you recognize unsafe acts or conditions. Guide for Discussion Unsafe Acts Unauthorized use or operation of equipment. Failure to secure or tie down materials to prevent unexpected movement. Working or operating equipment too fast. Failure to issue warnings or signals as...

Slips, Trips and Falls Maintain a safe environment with good housekeeping Don’t leave trip hazards in the work area Keep containers on the job for studs and nuts Constantly remove rubbish, scrap, and surplus materials Be on the lookout for foreign substances on the floors Cover or guard floor holes as soon as they are created Floor hole covers should support two times the weight of employees or equipment Survey the site before starting the day and continually audit the work space as work continues An unprotected edge 6 feet or more above a lower level should be protected by...

Construction Site Hygiene Construction site hygiene encourages good housekeeping, provides workers with clean drinking water, sanitary restrooms, and washing facilities to clean up. These practices encourage good worker hygiene and helps avoid cross contamination to safeguard everyone’s health and safety. Housekeeping Good housekeeping is critical for construction safety. Remember to: Clean the jobsite after major tasks or at least daily; avoid the buildup of hazardous, flammable, or combustible materials. Stack scrap lumber out of the way and remove protruding nails. Keep walkways, stairs, and work areas clear. Ensure that walking surfaces are as level as possible, and that workers have adequate fall protection...

Safe Storage and Disposal of Oil- or Solvent-Soaked Rags Oil and solvent-soaked rags must be stored and disposed of properly to prevent combustion fires. It is important to maintain proper fire extinguishing equipment and smoke detectors in all areas where flammable and combustible materials are being used and stored. Oil-soaked rags are a spontaneous combustion hazard because as the oil oxidizes, heat is released. If the heat is not dissipated, it can build up and ignite the rags. Special oily-waste cans should be used to store oil-soaked rags. These containers allow air to flow around the rags, thus dissipating the heat. The...

Practice Good Housekeeping Good housekeeping is one of the surest ways to identify a safe workplace. You can tell how workers feel about safety just by looking at their housekeeping practices. Good housekeeping isn't the result of cleaning up once a week or even once a day. It's the result of keeping cleaned-up all the time. It's an essential factor in a good safety program, promoting safety, health, production, and morale. Whose responsibility is housekeeping? It's everyone's. Clean work areas and aisles help eliminate tripping hazards. Respecting "wet floor" signs and immediately cleaning up spills prevents slipping injuries. Keeping storage areas uncluttered...