Basic Shop & Personal Safety

Introduction When you take a job, you have a safety obligation. Who do you have that obligation to? –Your employer –Co-workers –Family –Yourself –You are also obligated to make sure anyone you work with is working safely.

The Ultimate Responsibility for on-the-job safety rest with YOU! Follow safe work practices and procedures Inspect all equipment before using Use all equipment properly –Always refer to manufacturer’s specifications when you are unsure. –NEVER ASSUME

Safety Definition of Safety – the condition of being free from risk or danger.

Accidents: Causes & Results Safety is a learned behavior & attitude. Safety is a way of working. The time you spend learning & practicing safety procedures can save your life and the lives and others.

What Causes Accidents? Poor Behavior Poor Working Conditions Accidents cost billions of dollars each year and cause much needless suffering

What Causes Accidents? 1.Failure to Communicate 2.Poor work habits 3.Alcohol or drug abuse 4.Lack of skill 5.Intentional Acts 5. Unsafe Acts 6. Rationalizing Risks 7. Unsafe Conditions 8. Management System Failures.

Failure to Communicate All work sites have specific markings & signs to identify hazards and provide emergency information. Learn to recognize these: –Informational – provide general information, usually Blue in color –Safety – give general instructions, background is white –Caution – potential hazards or warn against unsafe acts, yellow & have black panel with yellow letters –Danger – immediate hazard exists, red, black & white –Temporary Warnings – safety tags

Poor Work Habits Tools and machines DO NOT know the difference between wood or steel and flesh & bone. Work habits and work attitudes are very closely related.

Alcohol & Drug Abuse Alcohol and drug abuse costs industry millions of dollars a year in accidents, lost time, and lost productivity. Alcohol and drugs have no place in the workplace Many prescription & over-the-counter drugs, taken for legitimate reasons, can affect your ability to work safely. Drug test are mandatory in industry and business today.

Lack of Skill Learn and practice new skills. Know your tools and how to operate & use them. If you do not know, ASK!

What Causes Accidents? Intentional Acts – when someone causes an accident (ex. Angry or dissatisfied employee) Unsafe Acts – a change from an accepted, normal or correct procedure that causes an accident. (ex. Failing to use PPE, warn co-workers, using equipment improperly) Rationalizing Risk – means ignoring safety warnings and practices.

What Causes Accidents? Unsafe Conditions An unsafe condition is a physical state that is different from the acceptable, normal, or correct condition found on the job site. Examples include: congested workplace, defective tools & equipment, poor housekeeping, poor ventilation, etc.

Housekeeping Keep work area clean and free of scraps & spills. Being orderly and organized. Another term for good housekeeping is PRIDE OF WORKMANSHIP.

OSHA Occupational Safety & Health Administration The mission is to save lives, prevent injuries & protect the health of Americans. Accomplished by federal & state government working in partnership with employers covered by the Occupational Safety & Health Act of 1970

Reporting Injuries, Accidents & Incidents Three Categories of on-the-job events: 1. Injury – anything that requires treatment, even minor first aid. 2. Accident – anything that causes an injury or property damage. 3. Incident – anything that could have caused an injury or damage but, because it was caught on time, did not. You must report injuries, accidents and incidents no matter how minor they may be.

Hazards on the Job Site It is impossible to list all the hazards that can exist on a job site or in the shop. For your safety, you must know the specific hazards where you are working and how to prevent accidents & injuries.

Welding as a Hazard Can be very dangerous! Oxygen & fuel gases are dangerous – must be transported, stored and handled very carefully. Keep work area clean Store cylinders in an upright position NEVER look at an arc welding operation with out proper eye protection. Always wear safety glasses with proper lens shade.

Welding as a Hazard Welded material is hot! Mark it with a sign. Brief exposure to the ultraviolet light from arc welding can cause flash burn & damage your eyes. Ultraviolet rays can dry out your eyes. Never wear contact lenses while welding. Wear proper PPE – Personal Protective Equipment Before and during Oxy-Fuel cutting or welding you must check three items – hoses, regulators, & work area.

Oxy-Fuel Cutting & Welding Hoses Use the proper hoses Fuel gas hose is usually red & has left-hand threaded nut to connect to cylinder and torch body Oxygen hose is green & has right-hand threaded nut to connect to cylinder & torch body. Inspect hoses before each use for holes, burns, cracks, etc.

Oxy-Fuel Regulators Fuel gas regulator is attached to fuel cylinder valve with a left-hand thread, male coupler. 2 gauges on regulator. Oxygen regulator is attached to the oxygen cylinder valve with right-hand thread, female coupler. 2 gauges on regulator. Regulator threads should be kept clean of dust, dirt, grease & other lubricants.

Work Area Always check area for fire hazards Always wear appropriate PPE Never wear clothing made of synthetic fibers. Always perform welding & cutting operations in well-ventilated area. Heating & cutting metals can create toxic fumes.

Working Safely with Job Hazards Lockout/Tagout – safeguards workers from hazardous energy while they work with machines & equipment. Identified by a tag attached to the machinery or equipment. Tags will have the words DANGER or CLEARANCE Defined – a formal procedure for taking equipment out of service & ensuring that it cannot be operated until a qualified person has removed the lockout or tagout device.

Barriers & Barricades Types of barriers & barricades vary from job site to job site. Protective barricades give both a visual warning & protection from injury. Consist of: wooden posts & rails, posts & chain or steel cable. Never remove a barricade unless you have been authorized to do so.