SAFETY
Proper Lifting
Over 250,000 industrial workers, housewives, and office workers injure themselves each year through
poor lifting techniques.
The practice of stooping over from the
waist to lift, accompanied with the
added factors of uneven footing, poor
balance, or awkward positioning is a
direct invitation to eventual injury,
because undue strain is thrown on the
back and abdominal muscles.
The following rules should be observed for safe lifting:
1. Determine if you need help--consider the distance and the object's weight.
2. Look over the pick-up and delivery area for (1) tripping hazards, (2) slippery spots, (3) small
doors, (4) sharp corners, (5) blind spots, etc.
3. Inspect the object for sharp corners, wet surfaces, slivers, etc.
4. Place feet correctly--one foot close to the side of the object to provide stability--and one directly
behind the object to provide lift or thrust.
5. Keep the object close to your body.
6. Get a correct grip or hold on the object by using a full grip--not just your fingers.
7. Keep your back straight--this does not mean vertical--just aligned from head to pelvis.
8. You should tuck in your chin when lifting to insure alignment from head to pelvis.
9. Do the actual lifting with your legs only.
10. Just as important as lifting correctly is the ACT OF LOWERING CORRECTLY. You should lower
objects in the same manner as you lifted them. This is essential!
 The body should never be turned or twisted while under the stress of heavy weight.
Instead, you should turn your whole body if you desire to change your position after you
have made the lift.
 When team-lifting large, awkward, or heavy loads, one person should inform all others-prior to lifting--of the safe, correct method of lifting and transportation to be used.
 Only one pre-designated person shall give commands.
SAFETY
Hazardous Noise Affects 30 Million U.S. Workers
Review the types of hearing protection with your employees:




Expandable foam plugs are made of a moldable material designed to expand and
conform to the shape of each person’s ear canal. Users roll the expandable plugs into a
thin, crease-free cylinder. What’s critical is the final result—a smooth tube thin enough
so that about half the length will fit easily into the ear canal.
Premolded, reusable plugs are made from silicone, plastic, or rubber and are
manufactured as “one-size-fits-most” or in several sizes. A critical tip about premolded
plugs is that a person may need a different size plug for each ear. The plugs should seal
the ear canal without being uncomfortable. Advantages of premolded plugs are that they
are relatively inexpensive, reusable, washable, convenient to carry, and come in a variety
of sizes.
Canal caps often resemble earplugs on a flexible plastic or metal band. Some have
headbands that can be worn over the head, behind the neck, or under the chin. The main
advantage of canal caps is convenience. When it’s quiet, employees can leave the band
hanging around their necks. They can quickly insert the plug tips when hazardous noise
starts again.
Earmuffs come in many models designed to fit most people. They work to block out
noise by completely covering the outer ear. Muffs can be “low profile” with small ear
cups or large ear cups to hold extra deafening materials for use in extreme noise
In order for hearing protection to be the most effective, workers must follow the
manufacturers’ instructions and safety procedures. Generally, workers need to:






Check protection regularly for wear and tear.
Replace ear cushions or plugs that are no longer pliable.
Replace a unit when headbands are so stretched that they do not keep ear cushions snugly
against the head.
Disassemble and then wash earmuffs with a mild liquid detergent in warm water and
rinse in clear, warm water. Make certain that sound-attenuating material inside the ear
cushions does not get wet.
Use a soft brush to remove skin oil and dirt that can harden ear cushions.
Squeeze excess moisture from washable plugs or cushions and place them on a clean
surface to air dry.
Ultimately, the degree of hearing hazard is related to both the level of the noise as well as to the
duration of the exposure. However, this determination is like asking how long can people look at
the sun without damaging their eyes. The safest thing to do is to ensure that workers always
protect their ears by wearing hearing protectors any time they are working in hazardous sound
levels.
SAFETY
Why It Matters




Approximately 30 million U.S. workers are exposed to hazardous sound levels on the job.
Noise-induced hearing loss is one of the most common occupational injuries.
It is often ignored and untreated. However, because it has no visible effects, it usually
happens over a long time, and it is not usually painful.
Noise-induced hearing loss is 100 percent preventable but once acquired, hearing loss is
permanent and irreversible.
Is there a temperature at which work becomes dangerous and should be stopped?
SAFETY
The short answer is yes. Both very cold and very hot temperatures could be dangerous to
your health.
Excessive exposure to heat is referred to as heat stress and excessive exposure to cold is
referred to as cold stress.
In a very hot environment, the most serious concern is heat stroke. In absence of
immediate medical attention, heat stroke could be fatal. Heat stroke fatalities do occur
every summer. Heat exhaustion, and fainting (syncope) are less serious types illnesses
which are not fatal but interfere with a person's ability to work.
At very cold temperatures, the most serious concern is the risk of hypothermia or
dangerous overcooling of the body. Another serious effect of cold exposure is frostbite or
freezing of the exposed extremities such as fingers, toes, nose and ear lobes. Hypothermia
could be fatal in absence of immediate medical attention.
What are the warning signs of heat stroke and hypothermia?
The victims of heat stroke and hypothermia are unable to notice the symptoms, and
therefore, their survival depends on co-workers' ability to identify symptoms and to seek
medical help.
While symptoms can vary from person to person, the warning signs of heat stroke can
include complaints of sudden and severe fatigue, nausea, dizziness, lightheadedness, and
may or may not include sweating. If a co-worker appears to be disorientated or confused
(including euphoria), or has unaccountable irritability, malaise or flu-like symptoms, the
worker should be moved to a cool location and seek medical advice.
Warning signs of hypothermia can include complaints of nausea, fatigue, dizziness,
irritability or euphoria. Workers can also experience pain in their extremities (hands, feet,
ears, etc), and severe shivering. Workers should be moved to a heated shelter and seek
medical advice when appropriate.
What are the exposure limits for working in hot environments?
Two types of exposure limits are often used: occupational exposure limits and thermal
comfort limits. Occupational exposure limits are to protect industrial workers from heatrelated illness. Thermal comfort limits are for office work to ensure productivity and quality
of work. Please see the OSH Answers "Thermal Comfort for Office Work" for more
information on indoor temperatures.
The American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) recommends
Threshold Limit Values (TLVs) for working in hot environments. These limits are given in
units of WBGT (wet bulb globe temperature) degrees Celsius (°C). The WBGT unit takes into
account environmental factors namely, air temperature, humidity and air movement, which
contribute to perception of hotness by people. In some workplace situations, solar load
(heat from radiant sources) is also considered in determining the WBGT. Some Canadian
jurisdictions have adopted these TLVs as occupational exposure limits and others use them
as guidelines to control heat stress in the workplace.
SAFETY
The ACGIH publication "2008 TLVs and BEIs" (or the most current booklet) provides
recommended screening criteria for heat stress exposure for workers acclimatized to heat
and for workers who are not acclimatized to heat (Table 1). The publications "2008 TLVs
and BEIs" (or most current) and "Documentation of TLVs and BEIs" should be consulted for
more detailed information on these screening criteria, categories of work demands,
guidelines for limiting heat strain and heat strain management.
Table 1
ACGIH Screening Criteria for Heat Stress Exposure (WBGT values in °C) for 8 hour
work day five days per week with conventional breaks
Allocation of Work in
a Work/Rest Cycle
Acclimatized
Action Limit
(Unacclimatized)
Light
Moderate
Heavy
Very
Heavy
Light
Moderate
Heavy
Very
Heavy
75-100%
31.0
28.0
--
--
28.0
25.0
--
--
50-75%
31.0
29.0
27.5
--
28.5
26.0
24.0
--
25-50%
32.0
30.0
29.0
28.0
29.5
27.0
25.5
24.5
0-25%
32.5
31.5
30.5
30.0
30.0
29.0
28.0
27.0
Notes:
Assumes 8-hour workdays in a 5-day workweek with conventional breaks.
TLVs assume that workers exposed to these conditions are adequately hydrated, are not taking
medication, are wearing lightweight clothing, and are in generally good health.
Examples of work loads:
Rest - sitting (quietly or with moderate arm movements)
Light work - sitting or standing to control machines; performing light hand or arm work (e.g.
using a table saw); occasional walking; driving
Moderate work - walking about with moderate lifting and pushing or pulling; walking at
moderate pace; e.g. scrubbing in a standing position
Heavy work - pick and shovel work, digging, carrying, pushing/pulling heavy loads; walking at
fast pace; e.g. carpenter sawing by hand
Very Heavy - very intense activity at fast to maximum pace; e.g. shovelling wet sand
Adapted from: 2008 TLVs® and BEIs® - Threshold Limit Values for Chemical Substances and
Physical Agents and Biological Exposure Indices. Cincinnati: American Conference of
Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH), 2008, p. 221.
Many Canadian occupational health and safety regulations specify upper and lower
temperature limits for work performed inside buildings which are normally heated (see
Table 3).
SAFETY
The weather broadcast service of Environment Canada uses the humidex scale to inform the
public about hot weather conditions. The humidex scale quantifies human discomfort due to
perceived heat taking into account the effect of air temperature and relative humidity. For a
given temperature, the humidex increases as the relative humidity (moisture content) of the
air becomes higher. The following table gives ranges of humidex for various degrees of
thermal effect on people.
Table 2
Humidex and Thermal Comfort
Humidex Range (°C)
Degrees of Comfort
20 - 29
Comfortable
30 - 39
Varying degrees of discomfort
40 - 45
Uncomfortable
46 and Over
Many types of labour must be restricted
The Treasury Board Secretariat (TBS) of Canada uses humidex as measure of thermal
conditions in office accommodations. "An unsatisfactory condition is deemed to exist when
the humidex reading exceeds 40°C [inside the building - not based on "weather
information" or outdoor air temperatures] or when the air temperature (dry bulb) falls
below 17°C. In these cases, operations shall be stopped and employees release
Table 3
Canadian health and safety regulations with respect to
thermal conditions in the workplace
Jurisdiction
Regulation
Temperature
Canada, Federal
Personal service food preparation area
Materials handling: operators' compartment
First aid room
18°C min./29°C max.
27°C max.
21°C - 24°C
ACGIH TLVs for heat stress, cold stress
Treasury Board
Guidelines
Thermal conditions in office work
20-26°C
Humidex 41°C max.
British Columbia
Heat Stress Regulations
Indoor Air Quality Regulation, ASHRAE 55-1992
Standard
Limits in WBGT units similar to ACGIH TLV
Summer Indoor
Winter Indoor
23.3 - 27.2°C or 74 - 81°F
20.5 - 24.4°C or 69 - 76°F
Alberta
(Guidelines only)
similar to ACGIH TLVs for heat stress and
cold stress
Saskatchewan
Thermal environment
Reasonable and appropriate to nature of
work
Manitoba
Thermal environment
ACGIH TLVs for heat stress, cold stress
Ontario
Construction projects:
Change room for underground workers
Work chamber
Medical locks
27°C min.
38°C max.
18°C min./27°C max.
SAFETY
Enclosed workplace, Industrial Establishment
Regulations
Quebec
Safety in mines:
Dryhouse temperature
Occupational exposure limits
New Brunswick
Enclosed place of employment:
18°C min.
22°C min.
WBGT similar to ACGIH TLVs
Light work while sitting, mental work
20°C min.
Light work while sitting, work with small
machine tools
18°C min
Moderate physical work, standing
16°C
Heavy physical work
12°C min.
Work conditions
1997 ACGIH TLVs for heat stress and cold
stress
Nova Scotia
Construction safety regulations: Working chamber
Prince Edward Island
Enclosed workplace:
80°F max. (27°C)
ACGIH TLVs for heat stress and cold
stress
Light work while sitting, mental work
20°C min.
Light work while sitting, work with small
machine tools
19°C
Light work, standing
17°C
Moderate work standing
16°C
Heavy work
12°C min.
Occupational exposure limit
ACGIH TLVs for heat and cold exposure
Newfoundland
Occupational exposure limit
ACGIH TLVs for hot and cold environment
Northwest Territories
Overnight minimum temperature only, Camp
Sanitation Regulation
18°C min
Nunavut
Overnight minimum temperature only, Camp
Sanitation Regulation
18°C min
Yukon Territory
Thermal environment
Heat Stress limits similar to ACGIH TLVs
d from the workplace if relocation is not practicable." Direct comparison between WBGT and
humidex is not possible - there are no standard conversion tables or mathematical formulas
to do such conversions.
What are exposure limits for working in the cold?
Some Canadian occupational health and safety regulations specify a minimum temperature
for indoor work environments in buildings that are normally heated (see Table 3). No such
limits are specified for outdoor work in cold weather.
The ACGIH has adopted the guidelines developed by the Saskatchewan Labour for working
outdoors in cold weather conditions. These guidelines recommend protective clothing and
limits on exposure time (Table 4). The recommended exposure times are based on the wind
SAFETY
chill factor, a scale based on air temperature and wind speed. The work-break schedule
applies to any four-hour period with moderate or heavy activity. The warm-up break periods
are of 10 minute duration in a warm location. The schedule assumes that "normal breaks"
are taken once every two hours. At the end of a 4-hour period, an extended break (e.g.
lunch break) in a warm location is recommended. More information is available in the
ACGIH publications "2008 TLVs and BEIs" (or most current) and "Documentation of TLVs
and BEIs" and on the Saskatchewan Labour web page "Cold Conditions Guidelines for
Outside Workers".
Table 4
TLVs Work/Warm-up Schedule for Outside Workers based on a Four-Hour Shift*
Air Temperature Sunny Sky
No Noticeable
Wind
°C
(approx)
°F
(approx)
Max.
work
Period
No. of
Breaks**
-26° to
-28°
-15° to 19°
(Norm breaks) 1
-29°to 31°
-20°to 24°
-32° to
-34°
Wind
8 km/h
(5 mph)
No. of
Breaks
Wind
24 km/h
(15 mph)
Wind
32 km/h
(20 mph)
Max.
Work
Period
No. of
Breaks
Max.
Work
Period
No. of
Breaks
Max.
Work
Period
No. of Breaks
(Norm breaks)
1
75
min.
2
55
min.
3
40
min.
4
(Norm breaks) 1
75
min.
2
55
min.
3
40
min.
4
30
min.
5
-25°to 29°
75
min.
2
55
min.
3
40
min.
4
30
min.
5
-35° to
-37°
-30° to 34°
55
min.
3
40
min.
4
30
min.
5
-38° to
-39°
-35° to 39°
40
min.
4
30
min.
5
-40° to
-42°
-40°to 44°
30
min.
5
-43° &
below
-45° &
below
Non-emergency
work should
cease
Max.
Work
Period
Wind
16 km/h
(10 mph)
Non-emergency
work should
cease
Non-emergency
work should
cease
Non-emergency work
should cease
Non-emergency
work should
cease
*2008 TLVs and BEIs - Threshold Limit Values for Chemical Substances and Physical Agents
and Biological Exposure Indices. Cincinnati: American Conference of Governmental
Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH), 2008 - page 213
SAFETY
Safety and Ladders
Ladders are one of the biggest hazards of overhead work and result in many accidents. This topic
expands on other ladder briefings by again covering certain rules which must be followed in the
selection, use and care of ladders.
As mentioned in Safety and Ladders - Part I, always inspect a ladder before using it.
Look for:
1. Loose rungs or cleats
2. Loose nails, bolts or screws
3. Cracked, broken, split, badly gouged or worn rungs, cleats or railings
4. Slivers or splinters
You should always select a ladder that is long enough for the work to be done. As a rule of
thumb, and to allow for reasonable safety, the ladder should be long enough so that you can work
standing no higher than the fourth rung from the top. This allows you to grasp the side rails of
the ladder.
The top of the ladder should never extend more than three or four feet above its upper support.
Never step on a rung above the upper support since it's liable to make the base of the ladder "kick
out."
When climbing or coming down a ladder, always face the ladder and keep both hands free for
griping the side rails.
Wall grips on the tops of risers are useful to prevent side slipping when the ladder's leaning
against a smooth surface. The top and bottom of the ladder should be secured to prevent shifting.
Safety feet, cleats, lashing, etc., can be used to make portable ladders secure.
SAFETY
When placing the ladder make sure you don't rest it against a sash or window pane. A board
securely fastened (not nailed) across the top of the ladder will provide a solid bearing at each
side of the window.
If you must rest a ladder against a pole, or round column, be sure the upper end of the ladder is
firm so it won't slip or cause the ladder to fall. When ladders are used this way, they are less
likely to sway or fall if the upper end is equipped with a rung of webbing or similar material.
When carrying a ladder, balance it on your shoulder near the center. Keep the front end of the
ladder high enough to clear the top of anyones head and the back end close to the ground. Be
extra careful and keep your mind on where the ladder is in relation to the people and objects
around you as you carry it. Pay particular attention when you approach passageways and
doorways or any place where your view is obstructed.
NEVER stand a ladder on a box or barrel or any other makeshift objects so as to increase its
reach. Another words, ALWAYS use a ladder that is the correct height for the work at hand. If
you don't have a ladder that is long enough then get one. If you must borrow a ladder be sure to
thoroughly inspect it and make sure it is safe.
Before climbing a ladder make sure it is at the proper angle. The recommended angel is about 75
degrees from horizontal. If the base is out too far, the stress on the side rails is more severe and
the wider angle can cause slippage. If the horizontal distance is much less that one-fourth of the
incline length of the ladder, it is pitched to steep for safe work.
Store your ladders in dry, well-ventilated locations where they are not exposed to the weather or
excessive heat or dampness. When stored horizontally, support both ends and at in-between
points to keep the middle from sagging, and maybe loosening the rungs orcleats and warping the
rails.
Treat wood ladders periodically with a clear preservative such as clear varnish, white shellac or
linseed oil. Never paint a ladder because it hides defects and deterioration.
Ladders are necessary and useful tools. Be sure to use yours safely and take care of them when
not in use so that they remain useful and SAFE tools.
SAFETY
Equipment & Machinery
Supervisors shall allow only properly
trained employees to operate power
equipment or machinery and shall
give proper instructions in their safe
operation.
All electrical equipment and machinery shall be properly grounded. Control switches shall be properly
located at the point of operations best suited to control the equipment.
You should never adjust, repair, clean, or oil machinery or equipment while any of its parts are in motion.
Use lock out switches to prevent accidental start-ups. Be sure all of the components have stopped. See
the Lockout/Tagout Manual for detailed instructions.
Always replace guards after repairs have been made.
Always perform proper maintenance on all machinery and equipment to prevent premature failure or
possible accident. Have all safety guards in place while testing repaired equipment.
You should regularly inspect for cracks, stretching, etc. on cables, chains, clamps, hooks, and other
equipment that are frequently placed under stress. Spreading, crimps, or cracks are warning signs of
danger. If you feel the equipment is damaged or creating a possible hazard, report this to your supervisor
immediately.
SAFETY
Clothing & Personal Protective Equipment
Shoes
It is recommended that approved safety shoes be worn to protect
your feet.
Hard Hats
Hard hats shall be worn in all designated areas and construction
areas. Visitors are included in this requirement.
Eye Protection
Proper eye protection must be worn when the nature of the
operation presents a potential eye or face injury. Examples of
these hazards include: Flying objects, dust, hot or splashing
metals, harmful rays, caustics or acids.
Gloves
Appropriate gloves and aprons shall be worn when handling
hazardous chemicals and abrasive materials. Gloves should be
replaced when the signs of wear are apparent.
Respiratory Equipment
Approved respiratory equipment shall be worn when the worker
is exposed to toxic chemicals or dusts, spray painting, or other
inhalation hazards.
Jewelry
The wearing of rings or other jewelry is not recommended on the
job, particularly if working around moving or rotating parts.
Safety equipment available at the Supply department and the
Tool Room is listed at the end of this manual in the chapter titled
Safety Equipment.
Asbestos Awareness
Asbestos is the name applied to six naturally occurring minerals that are mined from the earth. They
tend to break into very tiny fibers so small that many must be identified using a microscope. They are so
small that once they are released into the air, they may stay suspended for hours or even days.
SAFETY
All removal and abatement of asbestos is conducted according to rules
and regulations set forth by the Oklahoma State Department of Labor.
These regulations require that only asbestos workers, licensed by the
state, are permitted to remove asbestos. Never try to take a sample
yourself.
Asbestos is abated only when required for renovation, remodeling or
maintenance. Not every pipe and ceiling tile contains asbestos, but
whether it does or not cannot be determined at a glance. Every sample
is positive until proven otherwise.
At OSU, asbestos is most likely to be found in:





Sprayed-on insulation in mechanical rooms, on steel reinforcing beams, and some ceilings in
older buildings
Ceiling tiles in buildings built prior to 1981.
Most 9” and a few 12” floor tiles in buildings built prior to 1981 as well as the glue or mastic
Insulation around pipes and boilers
Interiors of fire doors
Buildings that have asbestos-containing materials in them will have notices posted near the main
entrances, frequently near the fire alarm panel.
Pipe and boiler insulation that contains asbestos will be labeled with identifying stickers and
placards.
Asbestos-containing ceiling tiles will not be labeled or marked. These tiles cannot be differentiated
from other tile by visual means--they must be analyzed by a laboratory test.
When is it dangerous?
The most common way for asbestos fibers to enter the body is through breathing. In fact, asbestoscontaining material is not generally considered to be harmful unless it is releasing dust or fibers into the
air where they can be inhaled or ingested. Many of the fibers will become trapped in the membranes of
the nose and throat where they can be removed, but some may pass deep into the lungs, or, if
swallowed, into the digestive tract. Once they are trapped in the body, the fibers can cause health
problems. Symptoms of asbestos-related diseases may not occur until 20 or 40 years after exposure.
Asbestos-containing ceiling tiles, floor tiles, undamaged laboratory cabinet tops, shingles, fire doors,
siding shingles, etc. will not release asbestos fibers unless they are disturbed or damaged in some way.
If an asbestos ceiling tile is drilled or broken, for example, it may release fibers into the air. If it is left
alone and not disturbed, it will not.
Asbestos pipe and boiler insulation is not hazardous unless the protective canvas covering is cut or
damaged and the asbestos underneath is actually exposed to the air.
Water damage, constant vibration, aging and such physical acts as drilling, grinding, buffing, cutting,
sawing or striking can break the materials down making it more likely that asbestos fibers will be released.
The EHS Asbestos Abatement Department has surveyed all campus buildings for the presence of
asbestos. If you need to do work that might involve asbestos (lifting ceiling tiles, repairing insulated
pipelines, etc.), check with EHS to find out what can be done safely. Proceed with your work only when
given the “all-clear.”
SAFETY
Housekeeping
Housekeepers and custodians should never sand or dry-buff asbestos-containing
floor tiles, and only wet stripping methods may be used during stripping
operations. Low abrasion pads should be used at speeds below 300 rpm.
Broken and fallen ceiling tiles should be left in place until identified. Only after
they have been identified as safe may they be removed. Asbestos abatement
workers will remove asbestos tiles.
Asbestos workers must also be the ones to remove broken and damaged
asbestos floor tiles. Report any suspect broken tiles to EHS at x4-7241.
If you are ever accidentally exposed to asbestos, you must file an Employee
Exposure Report form within 24 hours (or as soon as possible) with the
Environmental Health & Safety Department.
Work Area Housekeeping
Good Housekeeping is an essential part of every job. Work areas, aisles, walkways, and equipment shall
be kept clear of loose materials, tools, and scraps.
Materials such as lumber and pipe shall be stored in an orderly and secure manner.
SAFETY
Spills such as grease, water, or oil shall be cleaned up as soon as possible; a delay could result in an
accident to you or a fellow worker.
A safe access shall be maintained to work areas. Short cuts should be avoided. Never block aisles, traffic
lanes, or fire exits with equipment or materials.
Electrical Safety
SAFETY
It takes very little electric current to kill-less than one-tenth of an ampere. With
good contact, 115 volts is sufficient
voltage to cause death. There have been
fatal electric shocks where voltage as low
as 60 to 70 volts was involved.
No electrical work should be performed
"hot" when it can be done "cold."
Switches, fuses, circuit breakers, and
other control devices in areas where
explosives or other flammable liquids or
gasses exist shall be the type designed for
use in these areas.
All electrical equipment should be periodically inspected.
Suitable means should be provided for identifying all electrical equipment and circuits, especially if two or
more voltages are used on the same job.
All electrical tools and equipment should be properly grounded or be of the double-insulated type.
Spliced or damaged electrical cords
shall not be used until properly repaired.
Electrical cords on power tools and
extension cords shall have heavy-duty
rubber insulation.
You should never use electrical equipment when standing in or near water. In places such as bathrooms,
kitchens, laundries, and out-of-doors, where a person having wet hands or standing on a wet surface is
likely to touch objects that may be energized, a ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFI) shall be installed in
the circuit to prevent electrical shock. Portable ground-fault circuit interrupters are available in the Tool
Room for use in wet environments
Standing on metal ladders or wearing metal hard hats near high voltage electrical power can result in
death or serious injury.
Hand & Power Tools
SAFETY
Always know how to properly use hand and power tools before starting the job by following operating
instructions and using the proper accessories. If you are unfamiliar with how a tool operates or is to be
used, get the advice and instruction of your supervisor or the Tool Room attendant as appropriate.
Tools should not be used for other than their intended use.
Keep all cutting tools sharp.
Tools shall be kept in a safe condition without broken or damaged parts.
Never use tools which have burred or mushroomed heads and never carry loose tools in your pockets.
If tools or equipment are found to be faulty, report them to your supervisor and return the equipment to
the Tool Room or appropriate department for repair.
When possible, pull on a hand tool rather than push since it can slip and cause a serious cut or bruise.
Never leave hand tools lying around loose where they may fall on someone below.
Non-sparking, non-magnetic tools are provided for your use in the Tool Room. They shall be used in
areas such as grain storage, sewers, steam tunnels, spray-paint booths, radar unit locations, and rooms
with electromagnets.
Remember, use the right tool for the job.
Back Safety
SAFETY
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than one million workers suffer back injuries each year,
and back injuries account for one of every five workplace injuries.
The amount of force placed on your back under certain conditions can
be surprising. Anytime you bend or lean over to pick something up
without bending your knees, you put tremendous pressure on your
lower back.
Think of your back as a lever. With the fulcrum in the center of
the lever, it only takes ten pounds of pressure to lift a ten pound
object.
However, if you shift the fulcrum to one side, it takes much
more force to lift the same object. Your waist actually acts
like the fulcrum in a lever system, and it is not centered. In
fact, it operates on a 10:1 ratio. Lifting a ten pound object
actually puts 100 pounds of pressure on your lower back.
When you add in the 105 pounds of the average human
upper torso, you see that lifting a ten pound object
actually puts 1,150 pounds of pressure on the lower back.
Given these figures, it is easy to see how repetitive lifing and
bending can quickly cause back problems. Even leaning
forward while sitting at a desk or table can eventually lead to
back-related problems.
Avoid Lifting and Bending Whenever You Can!
Place objects up off the floor. If you can set something down on a
table or other elevated surface instead of on the floor, you won't
have to reach down to pick it up again.
Raise/lower shelves. The best zone for lifting is between your
shoulders and your waist. Put heavier objects on shelves at waist
level and lighter objects on lower or
higher shelves.
Use carts and dollys to move
objects instead of carrying them
yourself. (It is better on your
back to push carts than it is to
pull them.)
Use cranes, hoists, lift tables and other lift-assist devices whenever you
can.
Avoid lifting over your head, and avoid reaching across a table or out the
back of a truck.
Avoid working in awkward, uncomfortable positions on tasks that require
you to bend over for long periods of time (i.e., gardening). Also avoid sitting or standing for too long
without shifting.
SAFETY