Safe Working Practices

Definition:

    Safe working practices are generally written methods outlining how to perform task with minimum risk to people, equipment, materials, environment and process.

Overview

(i)            5 E’s

(ii)           Avoiding unsafe act or unsafe condition

(iii)          Safety tag system

(iv)          Housekeeping

(v)           Hazard checklist

(vi)          Colour coding

1. 5 E’s

i. Engineering Control:

·       Latest technologies and Automation.

·       Govt. controls during the construction or project stage.

·       Updating of outdated technology.

·       Granting of industrial license.

ii. Education Control:

·       Hazard analysis and identification.

·       Job safety analysis, on job training, off job training.

·       Permit system.

·       Training of all employees on safety.

iii. Enforcement:

·       Safety discipline.

·       Training program.

·       Counselling.

·       Standing orders and penalties (i.e. Factory Act 1948, etc.).

iv. Enthusiasm:

·       Motivation.

·       Hazard contest.

·       Safety award and essay contest.

·       Participation of all workers.

·       Appreciation from superior authorities.

v. Evaluation:

·       Continuous improvement in Procedures and Performance.

·       Safety committee action plans.

·       Analysis of all near miss & accidents.

·       Quality of PPEs used.

2. Avoiding Unsafe Act

          Faulty work habits and careless working are termed as Unsafe Acts.

Prevention of Unsafe Act

• Rule.
• Proper handling of machine or material.
• Wearing proper dress or PPEs.
• Operation with proper equipment.
• Horseplay.
• Avoid working in hasty speed to avoid accidents.
• Corrective action by supervisor staff.
• Use of PPE’s compulsory.
• General awareness of bad habit.
• Counselling.
• Help from union.

3. Avoiding Unsafe Conditions

          Unsafe condition can be defined as any physical condition attributed to physical and mechanical sources within the work environment which may lead to an accident, if left uncorrected.

Preventing of Unsafe Condition

• Machine guarding.
• Safe design and construction.
• Suitable safety devices.
• Suitable ventilation (air circulation).
• Suitable illumination (proper light).
• Proper PPE.
• Good House Keeping. “A place for everything, everything on its place”

4. Safety Tag System 

        “There are temporary means of warning employees of an existing hazard.” They should not be used in place or as a substitute for accident prevention sign.

        ·       Temporary means of warning/ caution.

        ·       Tagging helps new persons to be more careful.

        ·       Attached to the equipment at noticeable location.

        ·       Tags should be clearly legible.

        ·       Tags also giving safety instruction to employees.

5. House Keeping (5 ‘S’)

Orderly arrangement of tools, equipment, storage facilities and supplies.

• Maintain cleanness.
• Orderly arrangement.

Aids for Good House Keeping

(i)           Proper layout of workplace.

(ii)          Proper marking of aisles and storage area.

(iii)         Proper cabinets and holder for tools.

(iv)         Proper storage arrangement for material.

(v)          Maintenance of light fixtures.

(vi)         Avoidance of waste, oil spillages.

(vii)        Overflow pans.

(viii)        Receptacles for waste.

(ix)         Scrap guards.

(x)          Chip screens.

(xi)          Dust cleaning systems.

(xii)         Chutes.

(xiii)        Exhaust (LEV) and collector system.

(xiv)        Waste disposal or Solid Waste Management.

6. Hazard Checklist 

          The following hazard check like will help the observer to make the safety appraisal.

(a) House Keeping: Make sure aisles are clear, stock properly piled, floors free from slipping and tipping hazards and work area orderly maintained.

(b) Machine Hazards:    Working with machines (which are defective or unsafe) are machine hazards or Mechanical hazards.

(c) Fire Hazards:

(i)        Are all fire-fighting appliances and fire exits ready for immediate use?

(ii)        Are inflammable materials properly handled and stored?

    (d) Protective Equipment: Are goggles, respirators, safety helmets and other equipment being worn as required? Make sure deposits of jewelry rings, watch, etc. because they are a source of danger around moving machinery.

    (e) Electrical Equipment: Note conditions of switches, outlets, light cords and ground wires.

     (f) Tools: (i) Are proper tools being used for each job.

(ii) Are handles missing from files, chisel mushroomed, hammers, wrenches, screw drivers defective? Are feeds and speeds properly set?

    (g) General Conditions:

(i) Are boards with nails left on floor?

(ii) Are ladders, stairs, guards and other equipment in need of repair?

(iii) Is cutting fluid likely to spill on the floor?

7. Color Coding

          In order to stimulate a constant awareness of the presence of hazards (and to expedite firefighting and other emergency procedures) color codes are used for marking physical hazards.