Protecting Yourself
from Unsafe Working Conditions
Working safely is a condition of employment and each employee is
responsible for their safety.
An unsafe act is
based upon the actions of an individual or a group of individuals.
An unsafe
condition is the result of the action or inaction of others and is
usually encountered by an individual as opposed to the individual creating the
situation.
Although most accidents result from unsafe acts there are those
where unsafe conditions were the contributing factor. Recognizing unsafe
conditions or hazards in the workplace is not just a safety director’s
responsibility. It is the responsibility of all employees - whether it’s the
most junior employee or the company president - to identify hazards and make
suggestions on how to fix the problem.
Here are some
unsafe acts and conditions that can lead to an accident:
·
Failing to wear proper personal protection equipment
·
Using frayed or cut extension cords
·
Handling chemicals or other hazardous materials improperly
·
Exercising improper lifting techniques
·
Working too close to power lines
·
Smoking near flammables or explosives
·
Disregarding posted warning signs
·
Failing to follow proper procedures when entering a confined
space
·
Poor housekeeping - everything should have a place and should be
stored when not in use
·
Using improper or defective tools
·
Handling materials with sharp edges carelessly
·
Failing to follow proper procedures for setting up traffic
controls in work zones
·
Failing to establish lines of communication between operators
and ground guides
·
Working at unsafe speeds to accomplish a task
·
Abusing alcohol or drugs
·
Removing a guard from a piece of machinery or equipment
·
Insufficient illumination
·
Unguarded trenches and excavations
·
Poor ventilation
· Unlabeled containers
·
Spoil piles too close to the edge of a trench
·
Not enough fire extinguishers available
·
Improperly installed guard rail, or no rail at all
Accidents on the job can be reduced by working in a safe manner and
avoiding unsafe acts. The following four steps can help keep the jobsite safe:
·
Recognize the hazard or unsafe condition.
·
If possible, correct the condition yourself immediately.
·
If the corrective action is beyond your control, protect others
from the hazard and report it.
·
Follow up to ensure that the hazard has been corrected.
Procedure
When any unsafe condition is identified, the
condition will immediately be inspected by the responsible manager or
supervisor. If the manager or supervisor cannot immediately correct the unsafe
condition to allow continued operation, the affected area will be isolated and notify
it to the Safety Department.
In the case of defective equipment, the equipment
will be removed from service and all energy sources isolated using the Lockout-Tag
out procedures. The equipment will not be returned to service until the
defective condition has been corrected and a thorough satisfactory safety
inspection of the equipment and surrounding work areas has been
Responsibilities
It is the responsibility of each manager,
supervisor, and employee to ensure implementation of this program covering
Unsafe Conditions. It is also the responsibility of each employee to report
immediately any unsafe act or condition to his or her supervisor and to make
all efforts to avoid accidents and injuries.
Managers
Managers are responsible for ensuring that
adequate funds are available and budgeted for the purchase of required
resources to eliminate unsafe conditions in their areas. Managers will obtain
and coordinate the required training for their employees. Managers will also
ensure compliance through the safety auditing process.
Supervisors
Supervisors will not allow any employee who has
not received the required training to perform any unsafe tasks or activities associated
with his or her job. Supervisors will be responsible for communicating
appropriate needs to managers/unit heads and/or supervisors. Supervisors will
ensure that employees are provided with PPE as necessary for their job.
Employees
Employees shall comply with all applicable
guidelines contained in this safety program.
"SAFE WORK is GREAT WORK"
Post by Indian Safety Association.
www.doshti.com
This
publication provides practical loss control and safety information to assist
you in making your workplace safer. It is not legal advice. You should read and
understand all relevant Safety Rules, Regulation and Standard that apply to
your job site(s). You may want to consult with your own attorney regarding
aspects of Safety Standards and Regulation which may affect you.
Note:
The information in this publication is time sensitive. Do not rely upon this
document if its publication date is more than three years old. You’ll also find
a variety of other valuable safety information designed to help your business
prevent injuries and control costs.
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