Office Ergonomics Today

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Hazard Recognition
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Introduction
Do you know how to spot potential hazards and
protect yourself in your work environment? What
are the most common causes of work-related
injuries? Training yourself to be more observant
and developing a regular work area inspection
procedure can significantly reduce the potential
for workplace accidents.
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Introduction
Working together, you can ensure a safe,
problem-free working environment for you and your
fellow workers.
Successful hazard recognition depends on your
ability to notice what is out of the ordinary in
your work area.
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Identifying Potential Hazards
What is Out of the Ordinary?
The longer you work in the same surroundings, the
more difficult it is to recognize potential
hazards. Run through a mental or written
checklist when you arrive at your work area to
help you notice what is new or out of place. If
you are relieving another worker, ask these
questions
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Identifying Potential Hazards

• Did anything change during their shift?
• Was maintenance performed in the area?
• Were materials placed in an unusual location?

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Identifying Potential Hazards
How you perform your work
When it comes to recognizing potential hazards,
how you perform your work can also be important.
Enlist the help of a co-worker or your supervisor
to observe your body mechanics, or how you
perform tasks. Always wear personal protective
equipment provided to shield you from potential
hazards, such as noise or objects being ejected
from machinery.
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Inspecting Your Area
Ask yourself the following questions as you
observe your work environment
Is there anything new, different, out of place,
or broken? Changes to equipment or the placement
of objects in your work area are a frequent
source of injuries. Are machine guards in place?
Are raw materials and finished parts in their
proper location? Have spills or leaks occurred in
the work area?
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Inspecting Your Area
Is there an unusual sound or smell? Frequently,
machinery makes different sounds if shielding, or
covers are not in place, or if parts are loose.
Fluid spills or electrical problems can be
indicated by a smell.
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Inspecting Your Area
Follow these daily practices to ensure your
safety
Develop a checklist. An easy way to ensure that
you dont overlook anything in your daily
inspection is to develop a checklist. But
remember, if your work environment changes, your
checklist must change, too.
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Inspecting Your Area
Be aware of your surroundings. Using a checklist
is a good start, but dont forget that things can
change while youre working. Thats why hazard
recognition should also be practiced as you work.
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Sample Checklist
Self-Inspection Checklist
The following is a list of items that should be
considered before starting work. This is only a
guide and may not include every item for your
work area.
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Sample Checklist
Personal Protective Equipment

• Are you wearing the required PPE?
• Eye Protection
• Hearing Protection
• Other______
• Are you working with a hazardous material?
• Has MSDS been checked for required PPE?

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Sample Checklist
General Work Environment
Do light sources work properly? Pre-operation
inspection of hoist, lift, or other machinery and
equipment completed?
Walkways
Are aisles and walkways clear of debris? Are
there any spills in aisles or walkways?
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Sample Checklist
Machine Guards

• Are all machine guards in place?
• Moving part guards
• Shields
• Machine controls

Fire Protection
Has the nearest fire extinguisher been
inspected? Is it fully charged?
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Common Hazard Causes
A significant number of non-fatal injuries
suffered by workers are the result of contact
with objects or equipment. Here are some things
to look for
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Common Hazard Causes
Moving objects that create pinch points, shear
points, or rotating parts. Moving parts such as
gears, pulleys, belts, power transmission shafts,
or cutting devices should be protected by guards
or shields. Where access to moving parts is
essential to the process, operational safeguards
should be in place and used.
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Common Hazard Causes
Cutting operations where flying particles or
objects may be ejected from the process. In many
cutting or shearing operations, trimmed or cut
materials or cutting fluids may be ejected from
the process and present a projectile hazard. Keep
shields and guards in place to prevent being hit
by particles, objects, or fluids being ejected by
the process.
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Common Hazard Causes
Sharp edges or projections in the work area.
Something as simple as the sharp edge of an
electrical box can result in a serious cut.
Always check newly installed equipment or
modifications to existing equipment for sharp
edges or protruding objects.
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Common Hazard Causes
Forklift and other plant vehicular traffic. Be
aware of blind corners or areas where the driver
may not see you due to obstructions. Make sure
the driver sees you.
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Common Hazard Causes
Robotics and other powered equipment. You may
be surprised when robotics, automated guide
vehicles, or material handling system components
move on demand by other processes. Be aware of
the irregular motions of such equipment and make
sure barriers and guards are in place. Hoists and
cranes should undergo pre-operational checks to
ensure proper operation.
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Common Hazard Causes
Another major source of injuries in the workplace
is overexertion. Knowing how to position your
body properly as you do your job is the best way
to prevent injuries. Overexertion can lead to
painful strains and sprains. Whenever possible,
make use of tools that provide mechanical
assistance. Be aware of your normal work
movements to minimize reaching and twisting. Vary
your body position when performing repetitive
motion tasks.
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Common Hazard Causes
Improper lifting is another common source of
injury. Keep loads small enough to handle without
straining. Use carts, dollies, fork trucks and
overhead cranes to move objects when possible. If
you must manually lift an object, lift with your
legs, not your back.
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Common Hazard Causes
Falls are a common cause of workplace injury.
Falls generally occur when walk area conditions
change due to

• Spilled fluids
• Debris or process scrap
• Tools and maintenance items
• Parts or materials placed temporarily in aisles

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Common Hazard Causes
Be on the lookout for these conditions. If you
spot a trip hazard pick it up immediately, if
possible. If not, block off the area until the
spill or items can be removed or picked up. If
tools are part of a maintenance project and cant
be removed immediately, barricade the work area.
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Common Hazard Causes
Stairs and Elevated Areas
Make sure guardrails are secure on stairs,
catwalks, or other elevated walkways. Ladders
should be secure, sturdy, and within codes or
regulations for the predicted load and angle of
use.
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Common Hazard Causes
Know the proper procedures and wear proper safety
equipment for the environment you work in.
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Common Hazard Causes
Working in an industrial setting can expose
workers to a number of environmental hazards.
These include
Fluids and chemicals used by or in processes. If
your job involves working with or around
hazardous chemicals, make sure you know how to
handle them properly. Containers must be
leak-free and correctly stored.
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Common Hazard Causes
Lighting and Electrical Equipment
Area and task lighting must be working properly.
Inspect electrical equipment, switches, and
wiring for damage that might result in a shock or
fire hazard.
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Common Hazard Causes
Noise
Noise damping enclosures should be closed. Signs
marking noise hazards should be clearly visible.
Hearing protection should be available and
properly maintained.
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Common Hazard Causes
Work Surfaces
Keep work surfaces orderly and clear of debris.
If movable, work surfaces should be adjusted for
your comfort.
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Common Hazard Causes
Emergency Equipment
Any required safety equipment in your area, such
as eye wash stations or safety showers, should be
periodically tested. Know where fire
extinguishers and, if applicable, respirators are
located.
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Reporting Potential or Existing Hazards
Whenever you spot a potential or existing hazard,
it is your responsibility to report it to your
supervisor or safety personnel immediately.
Work-related injuries or illnesses must also be
reported.
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Reporting Potential or Existing Hazards
Your company is required to keep detailed records
of all reported hazards, as well as illness and
injuries. These records are used to identify
areas or work procedures at your site that may
need improvement, such as additional safety
equipment or equipment redesign.
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