Safety Notes

INTRODUCTION

The tools and machinery that you are going to use are very dangerous if you do not know how to use them properly.  Before you attempt to  do  any  work,  make  sure  that  you  know  the safety  measures specified  for  each  tool  and  machine.  These  safety  measures  are  designed  to protect you,  your fellow workers and the  equipment  you use. Most accidents  happen  because  people are negligent and do not know how to prevent accidents, so you must  develop safe-working habits very  soon.  You  prevent  most  accidents  if  you  are responsible and always consider the well-being of the people you work with. Be awareof your fellow workers and their safety  as  well  as  your  own  and  remember  that  it  is  important  for  you  to  have  a professional attitude towards  your  job  and  working  environment.  We  will  now  discuss  some of the safety measures that will help you develop safe working habits.1.2What is an Accident? It is an unplanned and uncontrolled event caused by unsafe acts or unsafe conditions and can be traced to  carelessness  or  negligence  on  someone's  part.  Accidents  do  not  happen;  they  are  caused.  Accidents occur because people do not know how to prevent  them. There  are six factors  involved in the  sequence of events  which lead to and follow an accident: Lack of controlPersonal and work factors Careless acts and unsafe conditions The accident itself Costs involved Injury and damage to property  and interruptions to production. 

General duties of employees. Subject  to  the provisions  of  section  28(1)  of  the  Act,  and  without  derogating  from  any other specific duty imposed  on an employee  by the  Act  or the  regulation, every  employee  shall-(a)Take  reasonable  care  for  his  own  health  and  safety  as well as those who may be affected by his actions.(b)Carry  out any lawful order given to him and shall obey the safety rules and procedures laid down  by  his  employer  or  by  anyone  authorized thereto by his employer, in accordance with or  for  the  proper  observance  of  the  provisions  of  the  Act or  the  regulations  or  in  the interest  of safety.(c)Where  a  situation  that  is  unsafe at or near his workplace comes to his attention, as soon as possible report  such situation  to a safety representative  or to his employer.(d)Report  any  incident,  which  has  affected  his  health  or  safety  or  has  caused  injury  to himself,  to  his  employer  or  H  &  S  not  later  than  the  end  of the shift in which the incident occurred

Accident  prevention 

accidents  in the  workshop can be prevented  by paying particular attention to the  following: Unsuitable clothing Unsafe conditions Unsafe acts Notices  and safety  signs Hand tools Machines Electricity Eye protection  and other equipment