Safety in 30 Days, Personal Protective Equipment in the Workplace
Aside from the obvious dangers of being near or around heavy equipment, there are also a number of health risks associated with not wearing personal protective equipment (PPE). By adhering to this simple safety advice, you can reduce these risks and save yourself some money in the process.
According to a study by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, hazardous conditions and equipment in the workplace cost the nation more than $9.3 billion each year. In addition, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health reports that more than 72,000 workers have been killed on the job since 1970 and 3.8 million suffer nonfatal injuries serious enough to require time off work.
The first step toward avoiding injury is recognizing which hazards are prevalent in your workplace and taking steps to protect yourself against them. This article reviews some of the most common hazards found in workshops and explains how to protect yourself from them.
Electrical Hazards
Electrical hazards can occur in a number of different ways. Whether you're touching an energized part, working with a live wire, or are exposed to static electricity, you could experience burns, shocks, or even death. The steps outlined below provide you with a variety of ways to protect yourself against electrical hazards.
Never touch a "hot" wire or energized equipment – If your machine has a break in the insulation and the metal frame has become energized (due to short circuiting), the safest thing to do is shut off the power before touching anything. This is easier said than done if the switch is on the other side of out-of-reach machine. In this situation, it may be necessary to call your supervisor to shut off the power.
Turn off the power – Do not try to turn off the power on a machine that is attached to mains (AC) or can accept a line voltage. The machine must be unplugged, and you will have to touch and possibly harm yourself in some way by getting too close. This usually involves reaching inside a confined space without equipment protection, which is extremely dangerous and should never be attempted under any circumstances.
Attach safety straps – If you must get closer than one foot from an energized machine, use safety straps (available at most hardware stores). These straps help prevent bodily injury to you, as well as causing the machine to stop when you release the safety-release button.
If you must work in an area where there is danger of shock from a live wire, stay away from it and wear appropriate protective clothing. If you cannot remove yourself from the area, stay close to the machine and hold on firmly until the current has subsided. Then let go and move away slowly.
Never use a power tool (or any other hand tool) if it is plugged into a power outlet – If something goes wrong with your machine, turning off the power will not necessarily prevent serious injury or death. For this reason, always unplug power tools before using them.
Avoid using your body to "ground" yourself – This is a common mistake that causes thousands of shocks each year. When you use your body to ground, the current must pass through your body and into the ground. For example, when you reach for a tool with one hand and are holding on to an energized object with the other hand, there is a risk of being shocked if you touch that tool. The best way to prevent this type of shock is by wearing rubber-soled shoes and not touching anything while the machine is running.
Do not allow loose clothing to touch a machine that is running – Loose clothing, such as long hair, can also serve as an effective conduit for electrical current. This is particularly true of dry clothing. If you must wear loose-fitting clothes while working on machinery, make sure to keep them away from any moving parts or electrical wiring.
Use a non-conductive extension cord – Never use an extension cord that is longer than what you need because it can create the same potential hazard that you were trying to avoid in the first place. If you have to use one, make sure it has a proper earth ground so that current will not be routed through your body (which acts as a conductor).
Use a three-pronged tool – If you are using a machine that is not connected to the power source through a properly grounded cord, use a three-pronged extension cord. This type of extension cord was developed specifically for high-voltage applications and is designed to prevent electrical surges and spikes.
Wear the proper personal protective equipment – Exposing yourself to electrical hazards can be avoided by wearing rubber-soled shoes, trousers with no holes in them, and either an insulated shirt or rubber sleeves on your arms up to your elbows. The insulation in the sleeves will keep electricity from passing through your body. This PPE does not have to be expensive and can be bought at most hardware stores.
Never touch power cords with wet hands – When you touch a live wire or exposed energized parts, the electricity will jump from your hands to any water on your body. This can cause serious injury while exposing yourself to additional hazards.
Remember, if you are working around electricity of any kind, take care to keep your hands and feet away from exposed wires and energized equipment. If a machine has broken down and become live (or sometimes even if it hasn't), try not to turn it off at the switch.
Put on rubber gloves before fixing it – If you cannot avoid touching live parts, wear rubber gloves. These gloves will protect you from the shock hazard. If you must work on your own machine while its power source is off, make sure to wear rubber-soled shoes and long pants that are not food soaked. Wear a shirt that covers the arms up to your elbows—this will keep the electricity from jumping through your body.
If you think you may have been shocked when working on a machine, stop immediately and remove all jewelry (including eyeglasses) before continuing work. A physician should be called immediately for possible tetanus shots if this is believed to have been an electrical injury.
In summary, it is important to recognize which hazards are prevalent in your workplace and take steps to protect yourself against them.
Conclusion
Electricity is one of the most potentially dangerous things in a manufacturing environment. Often, it is taken for granted, but it can turn even the simplest work into a serious injury or death situation if precautions are not taken.
By following these guidelines, you can help ensure that any electrical hazards are eliminated from your workplace:
Always be aware of the dangers electricity poses to you and your coworkers. Get proper training from your employer on how to handle any electrical problems that may arise over the course of your job. When it comes to dealing with exposed wires and live machinery, do not take chances—call for professional help if at all possible. Use safety straps where appropriate to help ensure personal safety in high-risk areas.