Captain Clyde's Safety Pin #6. - Respect Unbreakable Safety Rules

Today's Safety Sunday tip is: RESPECT UNBREAKABLE SAFETY RULES

There are certain things in this world that you simply shouldn't do no matter who or where you are, regardless of the circumstances. I refer to these things as my "unbreakable safety rules" and we should ALL respect them.

I'm quite certain that if we collectively lived by these unbreakable rules, then we would probably see a lot fewer incidents both inside and outside of work. Here's what I'm talking about when I say "unbreakable safety rules:

1. Do not engage in horseplay or practical joking. Horseplay and pulling practical jokes on a job not only irritates people, but it could lead to a potentially dangerous situation.
2. Smoke in designated areas only, or better yet, not at all. It's been proven that smoking is dangerous to your health, and second-hand smoke can affect others around you.
3. Do not use or possess drugs or alcohol at work. Drug and alcohol usage on the job will only lead to disaster. Uncontrolled substances can cause a person to become incoherent, illogical, or irrational.
4. If overhead work is being performed, do not work directly underneath it. Relocate yourself or stop what you are doing until it's safe to start back up.
5. Whenever walking up or down a flight of stairs, maintain the three-point stance at all times. In other words, have both hands on the handrail coming down or going up and make sure that one foot is on the stair surface or make certain that you have both feet on the stairs simultaneously and one hand on the handrail. The three-point stance allows you to have a solid handhold or footing at all times.
6. Wear hearing protection in high noise level areas. For some of us, this might even include jam sessions to "The Best of the Eagles!" inside our car. Just saying….
7. Never use damaged or broken hand tools and never use a tool for something it's not designed to do. For example, a screwdriver could be used as a punch to make a hole in something. If the screwdriver slips, look out! OUCH!
8. Never remove a mechanical guard from a running piece of machinery.
9. Do not wear loose clothing or jewelry while working around machinery. It could get caught up into something, and you might not get out of it.
10. Keep walking surfaces clean and free of tripping hazards no matter where you are.

Be anchored to safety by remembering these few simple unbreakable safety rules.