1. Keep work areas clean. Proper housekeeping alone can go a long way in preventing workplace injury. Injuries such as slips, trips, falls, lacerations, sprains, strains, etc. can be reduced by keeping work areas organized and clean. Basic safety rule: A clean workspace makes it a safe working environment.

2. Use the proper tool for the job. Avoid the first impulse to use whatever tool (or object) is around you to get a work task done. Using the wrong tool for the job can result in an injury or damage to the tool, which can lead to an injury in the future.

3. Always wear the proper PPE for the work task. The lack of PPE, or the use of improper PPE, leads to many injuries in the workplace. PPE is the last line of defense when protecting yourself from the hazards of your work. If you come into contact with hazardous materials while not wearing the correct PPE, the injury will be more severe than if you were wearing it.

4. Never work on live equipment. Working on energized equipment is an unsafe act that can result in serious injuries or fatalities. For your personal safety, always follow proper lock-out/tag-out procedures prior to performing any maintenance or repair work on equipment.

5. Make sure chemicals are properly labeled and stored. OSHA issues many citations regarding hazard communication every year. Improper labeling and storage can lead to injuries or property loss due to fires, corrosion, etc.

6. Communicate hazards to other personnel. Never assume that a coworker understands the hazards of a task, especially if they are new or new to the task. When work plans or conditions change, take the necessary time to inform others of the impacts the changes have on safety.

7. Stop work when needed to address hazards. Always stop work to take the time to get hazards and unsafe conditions addressed to make it safe to continue the task. Whether you need to involve other staff, such as a supervisor, or you need to take time to get the right tool for the job, always take the time to do so.

Discussion points on workplace safety rules:

1. What is the most important rule listed in this talk? Why?
2. What are other basic safety rules that need to be followed here at our worksite?