The most dangerous jobs involve construction,
operating motor vehicles, and work around
machinery. The leading causes of fatal work
injuries are traffic accidents, falls, contact with
machinery, and electrocution.
Because each
occupation has its own risks and specific safety
requirements, it is not possible to provide a
complete list of safety precautions for every type
of work.
If you are hurt
at work, tell a supervisor right away. Do not
complicate your recovery or your workers
compensation case with having to prove you were hurt
at work.
Cluttered
workplaces and bosses who try to cut corners often
are the cause of work injuries. If your
employer refuses to provide you a safe place to
work, notify OSHA (the Occupational Safety and
Health Administration) at 800 321-OSHA
(800 321-6742). You can call without leaving
your name.
The following
are general guidelines to help you stay safe at
work.
Inspect before use for
defects or slippery substances.
Place on level ground.
Protect ladders from slipping
backwards at the base.
Do not reach too far.
Remember the belt buckle rule
your belt buckle should always be between the
sides of the ladder.
Use both hands while
climbing. Carry tools and materials
within clothing or attached to a belt.
Face the ladder and maintain
3-point contact at all times (2 feet and 1
hand, or 1 foot and both hands).
Stay off wet ladders or
step-ladders.
Scaffolds.
Inspect before use for
defects and slippery substances.
Make sure planks are secure
and level.
Guardrails should be used
above 10 feet.
Stay off wet scaffolding.
Openings.
Openings in a floor should
have guardrails and warnings.
When not in use, openings
should be covered with materials strong enough
to bear loads. Warnings should remain
posted.
Avoid working with your back
to floor and window openings.
Roof and edges.
Stay off wet roofs.
For pitched roofs, properly
braced safety planks should be used.
Use caution when carrying
plywood or other materials that can be caught
by gusts of wind.
Keep the roof clear of
debris.
Stay clear of other workers
to avoid bumping into them. Know where
the other workers are at all times.
Do not lean over an edge
while working.
Wear safety harnesses.
Lift Carefully.
Back injuries from lifting can occur in any
occupation, even office work. Use proper
technique when lifting.
Lift with your legs, not your
back. Squat down instead of bending over
when lifting. Keep your back straight when
lifting.
Know and be prepared for the
weight of the object before lifting it.
Do not lift when tired.
Avoid lifting heavy loads.
Ask for help. If possible, separate a heavy
item into parts and carry the parts individually.
Do not lift and turn at the same
time. First lift, then turn.
When helping to lift or carry an
item, keep the weight balanced, warn if you are
losing your grip, and set the item down together.
Do not carry items that block
your view of your path.
Nurses should follow prescribed
procedures when lifting and moving patients.
Be
Extremely Careful Around Machines. Improper
use of machinery causes amputations and crush
injuries.
Read the instruction manual and know
exactly how your machine operates.
Refuse to use any machine that has safety
guards removed.
Do not let machines run unattended.
Make sure all moving parts, such as
gears, chain drives, rollers, belts pulleys, and
fans, are covered.
Never reach into a machine.
Be extremely careful when adjusting a
machine or removing jammed work or broken parts.
This is the time when most injuries
occur.
Make sure the power is off before
trying to fix a problem. Turn the
machine power switch and unplug the
machine.
Be aware that machine parts may still
move with the power off. Parts may have
tension or be spring loaded and move suddenly,
especially when something is jammed.
Use a tool, stick or metal rod
instead of your hand to reach into the
machine.
Wear protective equipment, such as safety
glasses, face shields, goggles, and steel-toed
shoes.
Do not wear untied long hair or
clothing loose sleeves, hanging
drawstrings or tassels, ties, scarves, open
jackets that can get caught by rotating
or moving parts.
Clamp work securely to the machine as
needed.
Remove chuck keys before turning on a
machine.
Use a push stick or push block
not your fingers to guide
material.
Keep the floor and work area around the
machine clean of spills, chips, and debris. You do
not want to slip and fall into a machine.
Do not use machinery if you are sleepy or
have taken medications, such as pain killers or
cough medicine, that may make you sleepy.
Protect Your
Eyes. Even "simple" eye
injuries can cause lifelong vision problems and
pain. Sawdust and other airborne debris can
scratch the cornea resulting in vision loss and a
recurrently painful condition. Protect your
(only) two eyes:
Wear safety glasses.
Wear the correct glasses or
goggles for the job.
Make sure the lens is strong
enough to protect against the speeds and
forces in your workplace (flying metal chips,
pebbles ejected from a lawnmower, etc.).
Wear side protection if your
workplace is dusty or has flying debris.
Watch out for splashes when
pouring and carrying liquids.
Be careful with cement. Wet
cement will irritate and even burn the eye.
Cement dust becomes moist if the eye begins to
tear up.
Take special care when
hammering. Metal slivers and nails that
rebound are the most common causes of workplace
vision loss.
Avoid
Electrical Shocks. You will get an electric
shock if you act as the connection (1) between a live
wire and an electrical ground, or (2) between two
wires of different voltage. Electrical shock can
cause death or burns and lead to falls.
Know when a wire is live (has
electricity). If not absolutely sure, do not
touch the wire. Have it tested.
Do not touch wires or electrical
parts that are not covered and insulated.
Always look for overhead wires
when using ladders or poles. Electricity can
travel down wooden ladders, not just metal
ladders.
Make sure electrical tools
and other equipment is properly grounded or
double-insulated.
Do not use electrical tools or
appliances if their plugs have the ground prong
missing.
Avoid standing in puddles or on
damp ground when using electrical tools and
equipment.
Do not plug too many things into
one outlet.
Examine extension cords daily for
cracks, wear and exposed wires. Use the
right cord for the situation.
Use surge protectors with
built-in circuit breakers whenever possible,
including at the end of extension cords.
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