Did you know that, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), “Industrial machinery mechanics and maintenance workers experience rates of injuries and illnesses that are much higher than the national average”? Staying safe at work can be especially challenging for employees who regularly operate and maintain heavy machinery, lift equipment and parts, and climb up and down ladders. How can industrial workers and mechanics avoid occupational injuries?
Start With Awareness
An estimated 905,700 employees missed work in 2012 owing to occupational injuries or illnesses. Workers can dramatically reduce the likelihood of getting hurt at work by being aware of hazards and dangers in their work environment. For example, 3 million companies require lockout/tagout procedures, according to the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI). Carefully follow all company safety procedures and policies. Know that, if your employer requires lockout/tagout, you should be on the lookout for electrical hazards.
Use Protective Equipment and Tools
Workers can avoid accidental injury using simple, straightforward fixtures and tools. For example, employees working with industrial machinery and similarly heavy-duty equipment should use bolt covers whenever possible. Bolt covers and cap nuts protect external threads from weathering, corrosion, abrasion, and chemical wear. Nylon or plastic bolt covers also shield threads from vibrations and torque. All bolt covers ensure that equipment stays as secure and stable as possible.
Mechanics and industry workers who regularly come into contact with electricity and wiring should use tools such as cable ties to keep wires firmly and safely in place. Tangled, loose, or disorganized cables can pose risks of electrocution, fire, and serious injury. Workers should also wear protective gear, including hardhats, steel-toed shoes, safety glasses, and hearing protectors, as necessary.
Avoid Repetitive Strain
According to the BLS, repetitive strain injuries make up fully one quarter of all occupational injuries. Avoid manual lifting whenever possible. Use appropriate equipment, such as a forklift, instead. If the necessary equipment is unavailable, ask a coworker to help move particularly heavy machinery and parts.
Avoid missing days of work, serious injury, and stacks of medical bills by being aware of workplace dangers and risks, using protective tools and equipment, and taking steps to avoid common repetitive strain injuries. Refernce materials.
