PPE / HAND SAFETY
What body part is one of our most important “tools” and is the focus of today’s Safety Day?
Our hands.
If you suffer a cut or other hand injury at work, even if it seems minor, what should you do?
Stop work and report the injury promptly according to your company’s procedure.
True or False: Good ergonomics can help reduce strain and injury.
TRUE
What does LOTO stand for?
Lockout/Tagout.
Who is responsible for workplace safety?
Everyone.
True or False: Wearing gloves means your hands are protected from every hazard.
FALSE
The evacuation alarm sounds. What should you do?
Stop work and safely evacuate according to your facility’s emergency procedures.
What is one simple way to reduce strain when performing the same task repeatedly?
Change positions, take appropriate breaks, rotate tasks when possible, or adjust the workstation.
What is the primary purpose of machine guarding?
To protect employees from dangerous moving parts and other machine hazards
You notice an unsafe condition but it isn’t in your department. What should you do?
Take appropriate action and report/address the hazard according to company procedures.
Everyone has stop work authority.
Before reaching into an area where equipment could unexpectedly move, what should you consider first?
Whether hazardous energy or motion must be controlled before proceeding.
Why should employees report to their designated assembly area after evacuating?
So everyone can be accounted for and responders know if someone may still be inside.
When should you ask for help or use mechanical assistance when moving an object?
When the load is too heavy, awkward, unstable, unsafe to handle alone or above 50 pounds.
What does OSHA stand for?
Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
True or False: If nobody was injured during a near miss, there’s no reason to report it.
FALSE
Name 3 hazards that could cause a hand injury in manufacturing.
Pinch points, sharp edges, moving machinery, hot surfaces, chemicals, caught-between hazards, etc.
A coworker’s hand becomes caught in a piece of equipment. What should you NOT do?
Do not reach into the equipment or attempt an unsafe rescue that could cause another injury. Follow emergency and equipment shutdown procedures and get appropriate help.
Name 3 ergonomic risk factors commonly found in manufacturing.
Repetitive motion, awkward posture, excessive force, reaching, bending, twisting, vibration, heavy lifting, etc.
Lockout/Tagout helps protect employees from what?
Unexpected startup, energization, or release of hazardous energy during servicing or maintenance.
You notice a hand-safety hazard that has been there for several days, and everyone seems to work around it. What does accountability look like?
Report or address the hazard according to company procedures instead of accepting it as “normal.”
A part becomes stuck in a machine. You’re confident you can quickly pull it free with your hand. What should you do?
Stop and follow the proper procedure rather than reaching into the hazard area.
You discover an emergency exit partially blocked by materials. You’re busy and didn’t create the problem. What should you do?
Take appropriate action to have the obstruction addressed or report it immediately rather than walking past it.
A task requires repeatedly gripping a part with significant force throughout the shift. What should you do if you begin experiencing discomfort?
Report the concern and look for ways to reduce the ergonomic risk, such as adjusting the process, tool, workstation, or work method.
OSHA's machine-guarding requirements are designed to protect employees from hazards such as rotating parts, flying chips, and what area of a machine where work is actually performed on material?
The point of operation.
You notice an experienced coworker putting their hand into a pinch point. They tell you, “I’ve done this a thousand times.” What should you do?
Speak up and take appropriate action to stop the unsafe behavior and ensure the task is performed safely.