Shop Safety Rules
Every work environment should have particular rules and guidelines that prevent injury or death to its employees. Although every work shop is different, there are some basic rules and guidelines that can apply to almost any environment. Keeping them in mind while you work can possibly save your life.
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Personal Protective Equipment
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Protective equipment should always be 100 percent effective in a shop. It is almost worse to wear broken equipment that you think is working than to not wear any at all. Safety goggles with cracks and in them may not properly shield your eyes from a chemical spill. Imagine wearing a gas mask with a hole into a toxic waste area. If protective equipment is defective, replace it immediately and do not work on any machinery that requires it until it is properly repaired or replaced.
Jewelry
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As sentimental as a wedding ring can be, wearing one while working on machinery can cost you a digit. Rings, necklaces, wristwatches and bracelets can all get in the way of rotating machinery parts. They can latch onto your jewelry and not let go until something breaks, which could be one of your body parts. Sometimes the material that makes up the jewelry can cause problems in a shop if they negatively react with other metals, chemicals or electricity.
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Housekeeping
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Keeping a clean work environment can also prevent accidents from happening. Unused parts, tools or other materials should be put back as soon as possible. Leftovers like empty cans and trash should also be out of the way. Loose objects can become tripping hazards if not properly disposed of.
MSDS
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All employees should know the location of the material safety data sheet. The MSDS is a guideline that shows safety information for chemical products. It can outline important factors like the combustible temperature and conditions of chemicals, aiding you in proper storage and hazard abatement. You'll know whether you should use water or sand to put out that particular chemical should it catch on fire. Not knowing this information can exacerbate a hazardous situation.
Storage
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Proper storage of equipment should also be considered as a safety rule in a shop. In some states and government facilities, there are guidelines as to how high certain equipment can be stored overhead. There may also be guidelines for storing bladed objects. The aforementioned MSDS provides guidance for storing chemicals in the right containers.
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