TOOL-BOX TALK

NOTES FOR FOREMEN AND SUPERVISORSPREVENTING ACCIDENTS

Accidents interfere with production. They waste manpower, they spoil material, they cause disorganization and waste of time.

To the worker, they bring pain and suffering; to his family they sometimes bring tragedy. Their prevention is vital.

You because of your authority and ability to exercise personal supervision, are in a specially responsible position for making production as accident-free as possible.

First, you can ensure that the orders you give always contain precise instructions about the proper way to do the job. Secondly, you can see that the job is actually done the proper way. Thirdly, you can do a very good deal by your personal influence, to make the workers under your care keen on accident prevention.

The ideas listed are not safety rules. They are simply suggestions about the various ways in which you can make best of your personal influence, particularly in regard to new employees.

Try to carry out the ideas in your daily work.

(1) When you make your daily rounds, make them a hazard inspection as well. See things which need correcting and have them done.

(2) Warn all the workers of dangers in their work and show them the correct way.

(3) Try to see your work area from the point of view of new workers. What is familiar to you will be fresh to them and may need explaining.

(4) See that new workers are put in the charge of an experienced man. Some people are better than others at helping newcomers. Choose the better ones.

(5) New workers not only need training, but watching as well. They may be clumsy or awkward, or, being new to the job, may not have grasped the meaning of instructions. They can be a danger to others as well as themselves.

(6) See that all workers comply with accident prevention rules. This applies particularly to such matters as wearing goggles or protective clothing.

(7) Instructions are sometimes disobeyed because people do not understand the really sound reasons that are behind them. Bear this in mind and be ready to explain.

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(8) If a worker in your area is constantly running into danger, consider whether he could be transferred to work that is less hazardous.

(9) The accident record of your area is your concern. Do all you can to keep the figures down.

(10) Remember that tidiness is essential for the prevention of accidents.

(11) See that all tools, machinery and equipment are maintained in a safe condition. Don't let those under you work with defective or unsuitable equipment. Encourage the reporting of defects by having them put right as quickly as possible.

(12) See that all guards and safety signs are replaced securely if they have to be removed.

(13) If there are fire appliances in your area, it is your duty to keep an eye on them. You are the only person who can ensure that they are always accessible. If they are only obstructed "for only five minutes", fire is just as likely to break out during those five minutes as at any other time.

(14) Ordinary and emergency exits and the approaches to them, must always be kept clear.

(15) See that all workers have all cuts, scratches and punctures dressed at once. A small wound may be just as dangerous as a large one.

(16) Do not let a worker who feels ill remain at work. Apart from all other considerations, there is more liability for them to have an accident when they feel ill.

(17) In the event of a serious accident when no one trained in First Aid is present, don't let the patient be mauled about. A lot of harm can be done by unskilled handling however well-intentioned. Serious accidents need skilled medical attention.

(18) Think of ways of reducing accidents and suggest them to your Safety Department.

(19) Workers who are actually doing a job can sometimes see hazards or ways to avoid them. Encourage suggestions and see the worker gets the credit for them.

(20) The attitude of the workers in your area towards accident prevention depends upon the example that you set.

SBG-PCM SAFETY DEPT.

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