Machinery in the Workplace – 5 Vital Safety Tips you need to know!

Machinery in the workplace is there for a reason, to finish tasks in a timely and effective manner, however it needs to be handled in the correct way. Machinery is capable of causing serious injuries and in some cases, even fatalities, this is why it is so important to know how to use the machinery properly.

Here are 5 vital workplace safety tips to ensure machine safety in the workplace…

> Always have the correct guarding on all the machinery. Machine guarding is crucial when it comes to protecting workers from dangers such as rotating parts, flying objects, sparks, etc.

> Always wear the right PPE for the job. Operating machinery or even just standing close to a machine requires you to wear the correct safety equipment and gear. There are no exceptions – safety equipment should ALWAYS be worn! L&A Safety offers affordable, high-quality PPE in Cape Town, Vredenburg and Robertson - give L&A Safety a call on 021 552 0665 or email tish@landasafety.co.za

> Always avoid interfering with machinery. While a machine is on and operating, NEVER interfere with it or the worker operating it. Touching moving parts of a machine can easily result in a serious injury or even a fatality.

> Never operate machinery you have not had training for. All machines in the workplace require training in order to operate it. If you ever try to use machinery that you have not had all the correct training for you could put yourself as well as others at risk.

> Never get in the way of machinery. Machines are unpredictable, so the best thing to do is to steer clear of any machines that are unloading or loading. Machines can malfunction which can result in an injury or fatality.

Machines are great in the workplace when it comes to completing difficult tasks; however it is for your own safety that you are always aware of how to stay safe around them.

Safety Gloves and Skin Protection at Work

You may use many tools at work, but some of the most important tools you use are your hands. Therefore, it’s important to properly protect your hands from skin injuries on the job site. Skin injuries like cuts or punctures and health problems like dermatitis can occur in a wide variety of industries, not just the industries you would expect.

Hand injuries and skin problems can arise in more dangerous workplaces like construction sites and manufacturing facilities, but they also commonly occur in industries like health care, hairdressing and food service. As a result, many employers need to be aware of these hazards, and both employers and employees need to educate themselves about the best ways to prevent dangerous situations.

Many types of skin problems can occur in the workplace. Let’s take a look at some of the common ones: 

Cuts & Punctures – Sharp pieces of machinery, the blades of tools or needles can easily damage the skin on your hands. While many of these wounds can be cleaned and covered with a plaster, a deep enough wound could require stitches or surgery.

Abrasion – An abrasion is an injury on the surface of the skin that occurs when something scrapes the epidermis, the outer layer of the skin.

Thermal Issues – Working with very hot or very cold objects can cause burns and impede movement.

Chemical Burns – Some substances in the workplace can burn the skin when encountered in certain forms (as liquids, solids or gases). Cement, for example, can cause burns because it has a high pH value, and employees may not even realize the burns are occurring until it’s too late to prevent further damage.

Dermatitis – The skin can become red, inflamed and irritated as a result of working around certain substances (ranging from cement to hair dye) in the workplace. “Irritant contact dermatitis” occurs when something in the work environment irritates the skin and it can lead to pain, blisters, itching and many other unpleasant symptoms. Some people have an immune response to substances in the workplace, which is called “allergic contact dermatitis”. 

These hazards are all very different so they require different kinds of skin protection. Just as no one type of respirator can protect from all air contaminants, no glove can protect from all substances and tasks that could injure the hand. 

Always wear the right PPE, especially for your hands! Visit L&A Safety at one of their stores in Robertson, Vredenburg or Cape Town and place your order today!