What Is Meant by Workshop Safety?
What is meant by workshop safety?
In the context of a mechanical or engineering workshop, this means all the rules that ensure workers are safe from potential hazards while they work. Generally, these rules are simple and straightforward – but they can make a huge difference in terms of reducing injuries or even death in the workplace.
1. Keeping Tools Tidy
The first thing that needs to be done in order to improve workshop safety is to keep your tools tidy. This will save you time as you won’t have to spend as long looking for certain tools – which can be annoying and cause unnecessary strain on your back. It will also help you avoid trips and slips.
2. Using the Correct PPE
The correct personal protective equipment (PPE) is essential when working in a mechanical or engineering workshop, especially where there are sharp objects that could potentially cause damage to your eyes, ears or face. This includes eye protection (goggles) and appropriate safety footwear – steel-capped shoes are recommended.
3. Staying calm in the workshop
The most effective ‘craftspeople’ or engineers know that working slowly and at a steady pace, is how they get their job done efficiently and safely. Similarly, mechanics should always remain calm when working in the workshop to prevent accidents.
4. Use the right lighting
A good source of light, whether it is natural or artificial, can greatly increase the productivity and efficiency of any repair worker. In addition, it makes it easy for mechanics to spot any sharp or dangerous objects that might be present on the surface they’re working on.
5. Keep your hands away from the moving parts of machines
Hands / hair and clothing, should be kept away from the rotating or moving parts of machines, which are used for cutting or drilling. This is particularly important when using hand tools, as the ‘cutting edge’ can easily catch onto the hand, causing injury.
6. Use machine guards when operating machinery
The machine guard, protects your eyes from ‘debris’ that is thrown out of the machine, often at high speed. The guards also help you to avoid injury by not allowing your hands and fingers to come into contact with the moving parts.
7. Always wear a safety helmet
As well as being a legal requirement, wearing a safety helmet is a great way to improve workshop safety and protect you from injuries that could otherwise be caused by falling or tripping over something. This is particularly helpful in the case of inspection pits, where it is often difficult to see if there are any dangerous items lying on the floor or under a machine.
8. Leaving your bag in the workshop during a practical session is another big mistake that can lead to a serious accident. This is because you could trip over your bag and push into someone, who might be using a machine.
9. Ask questions if you have any problems or concerns about the way a machine is being used.