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Preventing Slips, Trips and Falls

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Slips trips and falls are the second highest cause of workplace incidents. Resulting in anything from a minor injury to the worst case scenario…death. The cause can be from cords, uneven terrain, poor housekeeping, not following safety protocol and many more. Here are some pointers to reduce the risk of slips, trips and falls.

Good housekeeping goes along way. Keep the ground or floors free of tools, cords and debris. If something cannot be removed, flag it off so other workers will see it. Clean as you go. This goes for ice snow and mud. You may have to do a clean up more than once a day. Do as needed. Be sure to put up wet floor signs if you have just freshly mopped. Now when it comes to heights, follow the proper procedures. Always tie off with the proper equipment for the job. Inspect your fall pro gear every time you use it. Railings should be installed where possible, all ladders should have a 3 foot extension. When climbing, always use 3 points of contact. And this should go without saying but no running at any time.

Even the tiniest of slips or trips can cause serious injuries such as throwing out your back or sprains. We have all stumbled over our own feet now and then, but the removal of all other hazards will reduce our chances of an incident.

Knife Safety

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Using a knife for some tasks can be a fast and efficient way to to finish up the job. However there are serious hazards when using a knife, obviously it’s a knife. When used properly it’s a great tool but the amount of improper use is so high that most sites have some if not all types of knives banned. Here are some things to consider while handling a knife.

Before you even begin cutting, inspect your knife. Look for damaged and dull blades. Do a quick check to make sure the blade is installed correctly. Check that you have the right PPE for the job, including cut resistant gloves, long sleeves and safety glasses. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions. This means only use the knife for what it is intended. Now while cutting, avoid putting a lot of pressure on the knife, this is where that sharp blade comes in handy. Applying too much pressure, especially to a dull blade can lead to a slip or out of control knife. Always cut away from yourself but keep your fingers out of the way just in-case. Make sure to store the knife with the blade away, this way no one will get hurt just picking it up.
Human error and incorrect use is what causes most injuries when it comes to knifes. So remove the hazard. If available try a self retractable or a shield model. Remember it’s a knife, it will cut you, that’s it’s job.

Dress for Success

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Dressing for work isn’t exactly like walking the runway in Milan but definitely worth putting some thought into. I don’t mean matching your coveralls with your skin tone to bring out your eyes, I mean for safety. Here are a few thing to keep in mind for your work wardrobe.

Always be sure that your clothes fit, too big can be a hazard for getting caught in equipment. This goes for the string on your hoodies as well (most site have a no string policy). Be sure to cover yourself adequately. Long sleeves and pants are a must. I know this isn’t ideal on extremely hot days, but it will protect you from work site hazards, and also protects you from sunburn and insect bites. Sometimes working in the trades can get dirty but that doesn’t mean you have to stay that way. Keep your work clothes clean and free of tears, rips and holes.      
We may not be walking the runway at fashion week but our safety is even more fashionable. So dress for success.

Seat Belts

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It’s hard to believe that roughly 15 percent of people still neglect to buckle up. Every site has a zero tolerance policy for those who don’t wear seat belts, but it’s not just your job you’re gambling with. Seat belts are proven to reduce your chance of death by half. No matter what excuses you have, it’s uncomfortable or it’s not unfashionable, they still need to be worn every trip. You know what else is uncomfortable? Getting ejected from a moving vehicle. So buckle up.

Observations

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Do you ever drive home, pull in your driveway and realize you have no recollection of the drive itself? Think of how dangerous that is. Now think about your day at work… how much of that do you remember? We all have a million things on our mind but we need to do our best to focus and be observant. Here are a couple of ways to improve how observant you are on site.

Firsty, do your JHA. This helps you pinpoint the hazards. Use your JHA all day, after breaks or anytime you move work areas. Try to remove all distractions,whether this is a shop radio or a chatty co-worker. Focus your thoughts and observe where equipment, co-workers and hazards are.

The more observant your are , the less likely you are to have an incident. Make sure your mind is on task. A wandering mind is a sure fire way to take a trip to remember… To first aid that is.

Proper Pushing

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Even though you are not lifting or bending while pushing a load, you can still cause some serious harm to yourself. There is a misconception that pushing a load is never hazardous and that’s why workers will take a running start and throw themselves into it. Which more often than not, can lead to you also throwing your back out. Here is a quick look at things you can do to prevent this.

 

You want to stay square to the load. Make sure your hands are square with your shoulders and  your feet shoulder width apart. Be sure not to twist your back or knees. And take extra precautions against slipping (I’ve done this… And if you don’t physically injure yourself, your ego will take a beating). Always remember that you are not expected to be a hero, ask for help if you need it.

Keep in mind, you could be putting all your body weight into pushing something, if it goes off target that’s a lot of force to reel back in. So be sure to use proper pushing techniques to keep your back… and your ego feeling great.

Spider Safety

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If you’re like me and probably most of the world… You absolutely hate spiders. They have no business with all those extra legs and eyes. Psychologically, I know for the most part they’re harmless but emotionally..they must all die! Other than the heebie-jeebies and the heart attack we have when we see them, here in Canada we don’t have too much to worry about when it comes to these despicable creatures. Here’s some information on the ones you want to watch out for.

We only have two types that can cause real hazards; which are the black widow and brown recluse. Both of which are not common… Thank goodness. The brown recluse has a violin shaped marking on its back. The colour can vary from brown to a sandy tan colour with the violin marking a darker brown. It only has 3 pairs of eyes instead of 4 (I just threw up) and can get up to a half inch in size. If you get bitten by a brown recluse, you will more than likely see a red swollen bite area. Wash with soap and water right away and put ice on it intermittently for ten minutes. If you know you were bitten by a brown recluse or it’s a child or elderly person, seek medical attention right away. If you’re not certain what bit you, keep a look out for a fever, chills, nausea, sweating or just feeling unwell. I can’t stress how unlikely it is to come in contact with a brown recluse here in Canada. Black widows are very distinct. They are shiny black or dark brown with a red or orange hourglass shape on their undercarriage. (People most commonly think it’s on their back but that’s the males or juveniles, and it’s the females that have the venom we want to avoid). If you know you have been bitten by a black widow, seek treatment immediately. The symptoms are very similar to that of a recluse but also adding, trouble breathing, increased blood pressure, muscle cramps and headaches. Contrary to popular belief, a black widow bite is not life threatening only in very rare circumstances.
So in conclusion if you think you’ve been bitten by either type, seek medical treatment immediately. Also in conclusion, I may never sleep again so I hope this was helpful for you… Seriously all I can think about is these hideous beasts.

Bringing Safety Home

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For 8-12 hours a day we are bombarded with safety talk and rules at work. Yet when we come home, it’s goes out the window. I know I’ve been guilty of loading on the PPE at work…respirator, boots, gloves, ear plugs, hard hat, etc. etc…. and then coming home and mowing my lawn in flip flops and shorts. How does that make any sense? If we want safety to be our culture, it needs to be at home too.

When doing a task at home, think about what safety precautions you would use at work and follow suit. Use the correct PPE. If you’re mowing the lawn, wear long pants, work boots, ear plugs and safety glasses. If your painting or working in a dusty area, wear a respirator. If you’re cleaning with hazardous chemicals, wear gloves and goggles. Make sure to store and dispose of hazardous materials properly including household cleaners. Do regular inspections of your fire alarms. If you have small children, make sure to anchor tall or unstable furniture like dressers or TVs.

Yes, at times it can feel like safety overload at work… So I get it. You want to come home and forget all about work. But bringing safety home isn’t just about reducing the hazards we face at home, it’s also about teaching our children to put Safety First… And that’s a true safety culture.

Hand Tool Inspection

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We talk a lot about doing pre-work inspections on heavy equipment and power tools. But hand tools seem to get forgotten along the way.  As simple as these tools may seem, an inspection is still necessary. A bent wrench or a dull knife can cause significant injuries.

Do a once over with your tools every time you use them. Look for corrosion, the temper is still intact, mushroom heads, chips in drill bits or screwdrivers, bent, worn or broken handles. Make sure to repair them before use or tag them out. It also pays to keep your tools clean and stored neatly when not in use.

Doing a 5 second inspection could save you from a potential injury. You should never be in that much of a hurry that a few seconds will set you back… An injury will set you back much longer than that.

Work Boot Safety

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I always say, “3 things to never cheap out on are a mattress, a haircut and work boots”. Ever get a $10 haircut? How’d that work out for you? Yeah, boots are the same, you get what you pay for. So step up your expectations from your boots.

First off, every site will expect your boots to be CSA approved, at least 6″ tall and a raised heel (unless you are an ironworker). Make sure to have the puncture plate. When picking what type of toe you will have, you have your choice of steel, aluminium or composite toes. All of which are good choices. Make sure the sole is durable and slip resistant. If you’re a welder you should consider a metatarsal cover. Don’t forget comfort. Make sure you have room for extra socks in the winter, steel toe boots don’t stretch with wear, so get a good fit. A good pair of work boots are not cheap do your research and take care of them. You may consider adding a polyurethane adhesive to the outside of the toe. It’s inexpensive and will keep your boots new and safe, longer.

Work boots sole purpose is to protect your feet, make sure you buy the proper ones… You don’t want to be dead on your feet at work. Just some foot-for thought, toe-tally worth thinking about though. As for the $10 haircut? Well  another great reason to wear your hard hat.