Tool Box Talk 1 Being-Safety Aware

BEING SAFETY AWARE

There is a difference between being aware of Safety in a vague, general way and being Safety ‘Aware’. The second implies a continuous alert attitude to the safety aspects of every job we do. In 1991 there were about 20,000 reported accident in construction. That is about 90 a day. How many went unreported no one knows.

The Health and Safety at Work Act places duties on ALL persons at work. That includes you, your boss, and your foreman, indeed everyone at work. The only way the accident figures will come down is by everyone doing their bit about safety. Your legal responsibility is to take reasonable care of your own health and safety and to safeguard the health and safety of those you work with and members of the public. (This includes children, who must be kept off sites). You must co-operate with your boss in anything he does in the interest of health welfare and safety, and not interfere with anything provided in the interests of health welfare and safety. Fines of up to £2,000 can be imposed.

This includes wearing any Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) provided and using any safety

equipment when provided and as instructed. If unsure about its use ASK! Every employer must have a written Safety Policy (unless he has less than 5 employees), and draw your attention to it. Make sure you read it, and note the arrangements, which affect you. Play your part in keeping the site TIDY AND SAFE.

1- Look out for warning notices and OBEY the instructions given by them. 2- STAY ALERT when working in the vicinity of moving plant – diggers, dumpers, cranes etc. 3- DO NOT OPERATE machines unless you have been trained and authorized to do so. 4- NEVER RIDE on machines or hoists, which are not designed for passengers. It is illegal. 5- DO NOT INTERFERE with ladders or alter scaffolding or move boards unless you are authorized to do so. 6 NEVER THROW anything from scaffolding or any height. Lower it properly.

7- DO NOT take SHORTCUTS. Use the access provided. REPORT any DEFECTS or damage to ladders, scaffolding, plant or tools – at once. 8- REPORT any UNSAFE situations or practices you come across. 9- REPORT all ACCIDENTS involving injury, however slight, to your Foreman. Details of an accident requiring first-aid treatment should be entered in the Accident Book. 10- ASK your Foreman. If in doubt about the safety of any work activity.

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