21 Aug The Ten Commandments Of Good Safety Habits

The Ten Commandments of Good Safety Habits

Good safety habits help prevent injuries by making safe behavior part of the way we perform every task. The actions we repeat each day eventually become habits, so developing the right habits—and avoiding unsafe shortcuts—is an important part of working safely.

Guide for Discussion

1. Set Your Own Safety Standards

Do not allow unsafe behavior by others to influence your decisions. Follow established safety procedures and wear required personal protective equipment (PPE), even when others fail to do so. You are responsible for protecting yourself and avoiding actions that could endanger others.

2. Operate Equipment Only When Trained and Authorized

Never operate machinery, vehicles, tools, or equipment unless you have been properly trained and authorized. If you have not performed a task before or do not understand how to perform it safely, tell your supervisor and ask for instruction before beginning.

3. Respect Machinery

Machinery can crush, cut, pinch, pull in, or amputate body parts in seconds.

• Keep guards and safety devices in place.
• Keep hands and body parts away from points of operation and moving components.
• Never bypass or defeat a safeguard.
• Follow lockout/tagout procedures before servicing, cleaning, adjusting, or reaching into equipment when hazardous energy could cause injury.

Never become complacent simply because you have operated a machine many times without an incident.

4. Take Responsibility for Your Safety

Pay attention to changing conditions and correct or report hazards when you identify them. Use required PPE and ask for additional equipment, assistance, or guidance when necessary.

If a task cannot be performed safely, stop and contact your supervisor.

5. Ask Questions

Never guess when safety is involved. If instructions, procedures, or hazards are unclear, ask questions before starting.

Make sure you understand:

• What needs to be done.
• What hazards are involved.
• What controls and PPE are required.
• What to do if conditions change or something goes wrong.

6. Use Safe Lifting and Material-Handling Practices

Know your physical limitations and plan the lift before handling materials.

• Keep loads close to your body.
• Avoid twisting while lifting or carrying.
• Maintain stable footing.
• Use mechanical lifting equipment when appropriate.
• Get assistance with loads that are heavy, bulky, or difficult to control.

Do not risk an injury simply to save a few minutes.

7. Practice Good Housekeeping

A clean and orderly workplace reduces slips, trips, falls, fires, and other hazards.

• Keep aisles and walking surfaces clear.
• Clean spills promptly.
• Properly store tools and materials.
• Remove scrap and debris regularly.
• Keep emergency equipment, electrical panels, and exits accessible.

Good housekeeping is everyone’s responsibility.

8. Wear Proper Work Clothing

Wear clothing and footwear appropriate for the work being performed.

• Wear sturdy, appropriate footwear.
• Avoid loose or torn clothing around machinery.
• Remove dangling jewelry where entanglement hazards exist.
• Secure long hair around rotating or moving equipment.
• Wear required PPE for the hazards of the task.

9. Practice Good Personal Hygiene

Workplace contaminants can be transferred from your hands, gloves, or clothing to your eyes, mouth, food, vehicles, and home.

Wash your hands before eating, drinking, smoking, or leaving work when exposed to contaminants. Avoid touching your face with contaminated hands or gloves, and follow established procedures for handling contaminated clothing and PPE.

10. Be a Positive Part of the Safety Team

Safety depends on everyone participating.

• Follow established safety rules and procedures.
• Encourage coworkers to work safely.
• Report hazards, incidents, and near misses.
• Correct unsafe conditions when authorized and able to do so safely.
• Participate in safety meetings and training.
• Speak up when you see something that could cause an injury.

Looking out for one another helps prevent incidents before they happen.

Remember

Good safety habits are developed through repetition. The choices you make during routine tasks are just as important as the choices you make during obviously hazardous work.

Work safely every time—not just when someone is watching.