Safety Awareness

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Safety AwarenessStaying safe on the job means more than following standard operating procedures. Employees should be aware of what makes a situation safe or hazardous.

Since not every hazard can be eliminated, workers need to remain alert to safety. This can be accomplished by:

Learning and following safety rules. Inspecting equipment before use. Watching out for hazards that could develop. Taking the safe action when hazards do arise.

Stress the Importance of Safety

Every workplace has rules on topics such as working hours, taking breaks, operating equipment and so forth. Established safety rules take the guesswork out of finding a safe way to do a task.

Workers need to learn and follow safety rules just as they respect all the other types of rules and policies. There is one difference though—safety rules can prevent injury.

Inspections Help

Safety rules may include inspecting equipment prior to use. Workers, however, become complacent about inspections, especially on equipment that is used every day. To really motivate employees to perform inspections, they must understand what can happen if the equipment fails during use.

Be Alert on the Job

Conditions in the workplace change, and with change comes increased opportunity for hazards. Workers who remember and apply all of their safety training can learn to recognize hazards as they develop.

Workplace injuries are often caused by:

Being struck by an object. Being struck against an object. Being caught, compressed or crushed by objects. Falling to the lower level. Falling on the same level. Slipping or tripping without falling. Overexertion in lifting. Repetitive Motion. Overexposure to chemicals, noise, heat, electricity, etc. Transportation accidents. Violent acts.

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Responding to a Hazard

The proper response to a hazard helps prevent injuries. Employees should be trained to report all hazards, major and minor. Minor hazards can become more dangerous.

Malfunctioning or defective equipment that is a hazard should be safely shut down immediately and the supervisor notified.

Responding to an Emergency

Employees that witness a serious injury or discover a fire or chemical release or other emergency should be taught to remain calm, get to a safe place and report the incident.

Employees should be taught not to respond to an emergency unless they have been trained to do so. Rushing in to help an injured worker without calling for medical assistance or knowing how to administer first aid can do more harm than good.

Employees should be trained on how to respond in an emergency, how to summon emergency help, the location of exits and fire alarms, and where to assemble during an evacuation.

Training Tips

Review the handout and your company’s written safety policy. Remind employees of how they can get access to the facility’s safety policies and rules. Let the trainees know how they can provide input to add or modify safety rules. Explain who they can go to with any questions.

For more information see:

The facility’s written safety and health policies and rules.

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Safety Awareness HandoutIn the workplace some hazards can be controlled, and some hazards can be eliminated, but there is always a chance for hazards to develop regardless of how safe the workplace is made.

Follow the Rules, Take PrecautionsSafety rules exist to help employees stay safe. Violations of safety rules may cause someone to become ill or injured.

Safety rules can’t cover every situation. You have to be aware of your surroundings to notice hazards. If you find a hazard, report it.

Make sure any equipment you use is safe. Inspect it for problems prior to use. Tools and equipment wear out, so pay attention during each inspection.

What Causes Injuries?Safety is an action word, but most of the time we treat it as something passive. To make something safe takes proactive action. That action is to recognize what can cause an injury (hazard) and then take steps to control it in a manner that ensures nobody gets hurt.

CAUSES OF WORKPLACE INJURIES

Safety is an action word. To make something safe takes action and requires one to do something. That something is to recognize what can cause an injury (hazard) and then take steps to control it in a manner that ensures nobody gets hurt. Hazards are the reason people get hurt, without the hazard there is no injury. When we fail to follow safety procedures and/or wear our personal protective equipment we increase the risk of an

Being struck by an object.

Being struck against an object.

Being caught, compressed or crushed by objects.

Falling to the lower level.

Falling on the same level.

Slipping or tripping without falling.

Overexertion in lifting. Repetitive Motion.

Overexposure to chemicals, noise, heat, electricity, etc.

Transportation accidents.

Fires and Explosions. Violent Acts.

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injury. A hazard-free workplace is created by actively identifying, evaluating the risk and applying controls to physically protect employees in the workplace.

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Safety Awareness Sign–Off Sheet

The employees of __________Company Name______________________________, have taken part in a training session Safety Awareness. The session covered:

Operations at this facility which expose employees to hazards or injury. The types of injuries which most often occur in the workplace. Hints and tips on what employoees can do to keep themselves safe. Who to go to with questions on safety.

DATE OF TRAINING: FACILITY:

EMPLOYEE SIGNATURE PRINT NAME

________________________________________________________Supervisor’s Signature