FOCUS ON SAFETY MY TOP 10 By Katharina Busch


KATHARINA BUSCH is a content contributor for Arinite, a London based health and safety consultancy which focuses on appropriate safety training, risk assessments and risk management in many diff erent industries.


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MAINTAINING 3 POINTS OF CONTACT


THE golden rule when working at heights is to maintain three points of contact to a safety point, such as a handhold, or a ladder.


This means two feet and one hand should be holding on fi rmly. If both hands are needed to be free for a brief time, two feet and the body must be in touch with the safety point.


CLEANING SHOES AND CLOTHING


WET, muddy, or greasy shoe soles commonly lead to slips during work. Checking soles and gloves for any residue before going to work should be a daily ritual.


TIDYING THE WORKSPACE


OPEN drawers,


left equipment and lunch break spills can cause unforeseen risks. Tidying up is often left until the last minute but should be taken care of immediately to avoid trips and other safety risks.


Even soft or small materials, like empty cartons, can be deadly when the person tripping is carrying the wrong tool.


TBH September, 2018


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UNDERSTANDING YOUR EQUIPMENT


EVEN the newest and most expensive equipment will not protect a worker from an accident if he does not know how to use it.


Ladders, elevating platforms, or rope systems require an element of training before a worker is able to use equipment safely.


WORKING WITH WEATHER


SOMETIMES, working in bad weather conditions cannot be avoided. Especially in the rain or frost, workers need to pay special attention as to how the weather is aff ecting the site and equipment.


Parking lots and pavements should be clean and in good condition, whereas slippery areas need to be suspended and marked with warning signs.


ILLUMINATING THE SITE


UPON entering a dark space – even if you are familiar with the surroundings – turning on lights fi rst is important to avoid running into dangerous objects.


A co-worker might have left boxes in your usual path which could also cause a fall.


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USING SAFETY NETS WHEN working at heights, taking one precaution is not enough – if it fails, death


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is almost certain. Put up shielding or warning tape to secure off any dangerous edges. Secondly, make sure everyone is protected by a roof anchor system.


PRIORITISING SAFETY


IF you do not feel well that day – do not push it.


Working at a height is a challenging task, and should only be done when feeling well prepared, healthy and secure.


KNOWING YOUR RESPONSIBILITY


TOWARDS the end of the


day, tasks tend to be carried out in a hurry - which leads to sloppy work and potential hazards.


No matter how much time is left or how urgent something needs to be fi nished, never take shortcuts.


HAVING A ROUTINE SAFETY should be an


ongoing procedure that is part of each worker’s daily performance.


Whether it is checking all equipment for visual damage, planning the day’s schedule, assigning responsibilities, or conducting daily inspections, a good housekeeping practice can prevent many unnecessary accidents.


www.toolbusiness.co.uk


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