Work Area Best Practices Toolbox Talk

Work Area Best Practices Safety Talk

Working in a chaotic environment can lead to hazardous conditions. When equipment and tools are not cleaned up or kept organized, people can get hurt. Equipment and tools have the potential of obtaining damage when left out. You can make big strides of improvement to your work environment by thinking of ways to keep your area safe.

Chaotic Work Areas Create Safety Hazards

It is ideal to keep work areas clean to avoid injuries from occurring. A cluttered work environment is an unsafe one. Many of the instances that can happen are listed below in more detail.

Slip, Trips, and Falls

Slips, trips, and falls can happen when a work area is not kept clean. When substances spill, they should be cleaned promptly to avoid someone slipping. Equipment and tools should be put away immediately after use to avoid someone tripping over them.

Pay close attention to the unevenness of the ground and surfaces that are being traveled. That is an easy scenario for someone falling or tripping. By marking the problem areas, you can avoid an injury.

Struck-By Incidents

It is ideal for construction zones to have specific areas that are for people to walk on. There is a greater risk of a struck-by incident when there is heavy equipment present. Anyone passing through an area that has a worker above head should have the proper PPE. There is a risk of being struck-by debris.

Caught In Or Between Incidents

When operating heavy equipment, always wear proper PPE. The worker should also be aware of the safety requirements to do their job. Hair should be pulled back and put up at all times, and no loose clothing should be worn.

Best Practices for a Safe Work Environment

Always Keep Work Areas Clean

A clean work area is the safest area to have. When things are cluttered and not picked up, there is more of a chance of someone getting hurt. Whether it be tripping over something or slipping on wet floors.

All areas that cannot be cleaned promptly should be properly identified. This will avoid unnecessary injuries from broken tools. When you have a space that gets wet from rainwater or gets slick, consider putting a grit down to avoid falls. Anywhere that there are steps up or down, mark them to be visible to everyone at all times.

Block Moving Parts Of All Equipment

All equipment should have protection on them to avoid an injury incident. If someone can get stuck in equipment, take the necessary steps to have those areas blocked. This is going to take away the hazard and the instances of injuries.

Keep Equipment and Tools Organized

All tools and equipment should have a designated area that it belongs in. That way it is easily found when needed and not laying out. When tools or equipment are laying around, not only can they get damaged, but they can pose as a safety hazard.

All employees should be responsible for picking up after themselves. It is important for the safety of themselves and their coworkers. Housekeeping is one of the simplest things that can be done to ensure the safety of all employees.

Have Designated Walking Areas

Employees are going to need to walk from one area to another. By designating walking areas that are clear of equipment is the safest option. Many places will color code walking paths so all employees know which one is best for them to take.

Schedule Regular Employee Meetings

Regular employee meetings are a good to have with everyone. That way you can stay up to date with protocol. This will give you the opportunity to ask any questions you may have. You can also address any problems that are happening.

From time to time guidelines will change. By having routine meetings you can bring those changes to everyone's attention. Here are some examples of important topics to cover in meetings.

Emergency Exits

One important thing to do, make sure that all emergency exits are always clear of all clutter. That includes tools, equipment, and debris. This area is never a good place to store items or even place them there temporarily.

You never know when an emergency is going to occur and you will need to have easy access to that door. When debris is blocking the emergency exit, it can slow down traffic getting out. It is a good idea to touch base on this to make sure it is fresh on everyone's mind.

Reports of Problems

Every employee should know where to go and who to talk to when there is a problem. Anyone who observes an unsafe task occurring should know who to inform. Safety hazards need to be addressed promptly. During an employee meeting is a good time to illiterate how to report these issues.

Personal Protective Equipment

To be as safe as possible in your work environments, PPE needs to be worn when it's necessary. The department that you work in and the tasks you perform determine the protective gear you wear. It would be a good idea to mention PPE and the importance of it in employee meetings.

Discuss Changes

Safety procedures can change over time and need to be updated with your staff. These situations should be discussed with all staff promptly. When there is new equipment or tools to use, all employees should be informed on the correct way to use them.

Things to Remember

It is important to remember that it is their job to follow the guidelines. That includes being as safe as possible while on the job. Employers can only present you with the guidelines that should be followed. It is your job to put these precautions into play.

If you notice tasks performed that could be hazardous to someone, you should report it. The workplace will be a safer place for all employees when safety is the main focus. Always be aware of your surroundings when on the job. Be as safe as possible when performing different tasks.