General Workplace Safety Tips | Atlantic Training Safety Tips (2024)

General Precautions

92% Of Injuries are Sustained by Men In 2010, 92% that had fatal work injuries were men compared to only 8% of women. ⁽¹⁾ Work Gloves are Underused Something as trivial as not putting on a pair of proper gloves is responsible for 48 million dollars each year. ⁽⁵⁾ 12 Die Every Day Every day, more than 12 workers die on the job – over 4,500 a year. ⁽⁷⁾

• Always be awake and alert in your workspace.
• Immediately clean and/or report any potential hazards (spills, leaks, fire hazard obstacles)
• Closely follow instructions when using any tool or machine.
• Dress appropriately for your specific workspace and/or task.
• Always wear the protective equipment that is intended for your task.
• Make safety your first thought—not your afterthought!

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An Uplifting Thought: Lifting and Climbing Safely

Always use both handswhen lifting a heavy or cumbersome object.

Adopt a proper stancefor lifting: put the strain on your legs, not your back (crouch at your feet, keep your back straight, and don’t bend at the waist).

Test the weightbefore you lift something up completely; it might be too late if you realize a few seconds later that it’s too heavy or cumbersome for you.

• An easy way to do this is to nudge it with your foot first.

Consider a back braceif the work is heavy or you have a sensitive back.

Move your feet, not your back,when you want to travel or turn while carrying a heavy load.

Lift slowly and smoothly.

Keep your burden closeto your body; this means less strain on you.

If your load is too heavyfor you to handle alone, don’t be shy—ask for help!

Ensure ladders are secure and steadybefore climbing aboard.

Never climb on improvised ladders.Shelves and storage units are poor substitutes. Don’t be lazy, and find a proper solid ladder.

Don’t let appearances fool you.Railings might appear solid and fixed, but they might be improperly secures; at least, test them first.

Use safety harnessesif your job includes heights.

Eliminate distractionswhen working on a roof, scaffold, or other elevated platform. More than ever, stay focused and alert!

Keep an eye out on the floorto ensure it’s free of obstacles and spills. If it isn’t, get cleaning!

Tools and Machinery: Putting Safety First

Use machinery only if you’re authorized, trained, and alert.

Always use the appropriate toolfor the respective task.

Clean your toolsand keep them in good working order.

Organize your toolsand don’t be careless; someone could easily slip or get hit due to a misplaced object.

Always ensure that the operator of a machine sees you;never approach from behind or from a blind side.

Do not perform a task unless you’ve been trainedand you are aware of the hazards as well as how to mitigate/eliminate them.

Never leave machinery running unattended.

Never remove safety guardsthat are in place to protect you and the surrounding area.

Obey all operating instructions.

If something is wrong,stop the machine immediately and get assistance.

Communicate your location and processto those around you, so they’ll know where you are, what you’re doing, and when they need to be getting out of the way.

Never walk in front of a forklift, tractor, or any other heavy machine;the operator may not have seen you—and, even if he has, there’s always room for error, so make sure that error isn’t you being trampled.

Always read labels and instructionsalerting you to potential dangers and hazards.

Unless it’s your job, never tamper with electric controls, cords, switches,or other such hazardous items.

Dress properly and compactly:billowing, loose, or hanging clothes and accessories (ties, earrings, bracelets, loose sleeves, etc.) may easily get caught up in moving parts.

• At best, the offending objects may be destroyed; at worst, they could ruin the machine or severely hurt you.

Never insert fingers or any other objects that don’t belonginto moving machinery.

Turn off machines and equipmentbefore you even consider cleaning, un-jamming, oiling, adjusting, or moving them.

Beware of Fire Hazards

Come up with a fire emergency plan;ensure that everyone knows and understands it.

Practice fire drills.

Avoid “power strips”which can ignite a fire if overloaded.

Ventilation is critical,especially if dealing with fumes and chemicals.

• Good ventilation helps to reduce the toxins in the air, and thus to eliminate highly flammable vapors.

In case of fire,know what has fed the fire.

• Never fight a grease firewith water; water will splash the oil and spread the flames.
• Be aware of the whereabouts and use of fire extinguishers.

Gearing Up for Safety

Always wear appropriate clothing and shoesrespective to your job.

Fire extinguishersmust be available and readily attainable.

First aid kitsmust be available and readily attainable.

Never remove or tamper withsafety devices.

Use a back braceif you’re lifting heavy objects or you’ve got a sensitive back.

A hard hatwill protect you if there’s a risk of falling objects

Wear glovesif you’re handling sharp objects or toxic substances.

Wear gogglesif your work poses a hazard to your eyes.

Wear safety harnessesif you’re working from an elevated location and there’s the risk of falling.

Wear non-skid footgear:

• If your workspace involves slippery surfaces (kitchens, spas, pools, etc.)
• If you’re lifting heavy items

Wear a breathing maskat all times, especially if:

• You deal with dangerous or toxic chemicals or fumes
• Your workspace has poor ventilation
• Your workspace has debris, dust, and other flying particles.

Wear the protective equipmentthat is intended and recommended for your particular task.

• Seat belts
• Safety glasses or goggles
• Protective clothing, headgear, and/or footgear
• Safety harnesses, etc.