Workplace Health and Safety

Workplace Health and Safety Student Program
Metal and Engineering Industry (continued)

Hazard Identification

Hazard identification is a key step in preventing injury and disease in the workplace. Where there's a risk, you need to stop and think. You need to think about what you are about to do, the potential risks and the likely effects on yourself and other people.

The 3 Step Approach to Hazard Identification:

1. Spot the hazard.

Be alert at work! Notice potential hazards and work out what the problem is.

2. Assess the risk.

Talk to your supervisor about the hazard and work out a way to solve the problem.

3. Make the changes.

Follow through. Carry out the agreed actions in order to solve the problem.

Induction Training

Employers should provide information for young and new employees through induction programs.

The purpose of induction training is for employees to gain the knowledge and skills to participate in an organisation's health and safety system at the onset of their jobs. The induction training of all people new to the job in occupational health and safety is an important task for managers and supervisors.

Working Safely with Electricity

Electric shock occurs when a person becomes part of an electrical circuit and the current flows through their body. A fatal shock is called electrocution.

Doing maintenance work on live electrical circuits is a too frequent cause of electrocution.

Accidents and deaths can also result from equipment becoming "live" due to electrical faults, lack of maintenance or short circuit.

Electrical accidents are most often caused by a combination of factors such as:

a lack of training;
a lack of supervision;
inadequate work practices;
poorly maintained equipment or installation; and
a hazardous workplace environment.
unauthorised electrical repairs

More About General Electrical Safety Precautions

Locking out of equipment

This is one way of preventing machinery or electrical current becoming operational during maintenance. A lock is attached to the machine switch so that it can't be turned on.

The person working with the machine should hold the only key to the lock. A lock must only be removed by the person who attached it to the equipment or machinery. Procedures must be put in place for the removal of the lock should the person not be available, for example, if there has been a change of shift workers.

Working Safely with Mechanical Equipment

A wide range of mechanical equipment is used within the Metals and Engineering Industry. Examples include guillotines, power presses, brake presses, angle grinders, and hand hammers.

Mechanical equipment can cause:

sprains and strains;
open wounds;
fractures;
amputations; and
death.

Your workplace should have a maintenance program to ensure that all equipment and machines are in safe working order.

The most common mechanical equipment injuries are to hands and fingers which may be cut, sprained, dislocated, broken, crushed or severed by machinery or tools.

Over 47% of all eye injuries recorded in 1994/95 were due to mechanical equipment injuries.

These injuries can cause lengthy periods of time off work, and sometimes permanent disability.

A large number of injuries occur in the Manufacturing Industry.

Eye injuries caused by mechanical equipment accidents include:

being hit by an object (this includes small particles such as metal shavings as well as large objects such as pieces of equipment);
heat, radiation;
hitting an object; and
falls, trips, slips.

Personal Protective Equipment

Personal protective equipment (P.P.E.) and clothing for employees should be used when hazards in the workplace cannot be eliminated.

After receiving training, employees are required to use the personal protective equipment supplied by the employer and follow all safety instructions.

Personal protective equipment and clothing used in the Metals and Engineering Industry can include such things as eye protection; hearing protection; protective gloves; safety footwear; arm guards; respirators; and safety hats as appropriate.

Employees should be instructed and trained in the correct use of the P.P.E. provided by the employer.