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?

Why We All Should Care Safety Talk

Achieving a safe workplace takes effort from every single person who is employed there. Safety cannot be achieved through the effort of one or two people, even if it is the CEO who is putting forth the most effort in working towards having safe workplaces. Because of this fact, we all should care about the health and safety of everyone at work.

Three Reasons Why We All Should Care About Safety

1. Health- No one wants to be hurt on the job and no one wants to see a coworker get hurt either. The main objective for safety in the workplace is to keep the people who work there healthy. When even just one person does not care about safety, it not only puts them at risk, but it also creates risk for injury for anyone working around that individual.
2. Livelihoods- We all work to provide for ourselves and our families. Injuries, even just small ones, can impede our ability to earn an income. Everyone depends on the wages they make at work to ensure their families have the basic necessities of life. Taking shortcuts in safety or forgoing it completely can lead to injuries that put people out of work.
3. Business Continuity- In this day in age the market is global, not just regional anymore. Over the last few decades, many workplaces have felt the tightening grip of international manufacturers and the growth of the internet, allowing for products to be made and shipped anywhere in the world. Because of these pressures, businesses have to limit unnecessary expenses to continue on. Businesses that promote safe workplaces and have employees who embrace working safely help limit costs associated with incidents and injuries. Also, many clients and consumers want to buy products from companies that have safe workplaces and are not injuring their employees. When each individual employee cares about safety, it helps to ensure that the company will face fewer of these unnecessary costs associated with injuries.

Summary

There are many other reasons not mentioned why we all should care about safety at work. We all have personal reasons for why we should want to work safely, but there should also be a focus on the reasons outside of only what will affect ourselves. We depend on each other not only to remain healthy while at work but also to help the company we work for continue to stay in business and provide the jobs that allow us to have an income.

Emergency exits serve to provide a clear route away from danger. Prevalent in public buildings and other urban settings, emergency exits are vital in the workplace as well. No matter the environment, companies must provide designated escape paths should a life-threatening event occur. Unfortunately, emergency exits are not identified and communicated to individuals all too often, resulting in incidents and injuries. Additionally, emergency exits that are not maintained and can provide additional danger when they are needed.

This safety talk identifies the methods that can communicate the whereabouts of emergency exits to individuals and visitors. Additionally, the best practices listed below can educate individuals on ensuring they remain accessible.

Communicating the Availability of Emergency Exits

• Facilities should orientate newly hired employees and all visitors to the location of emergency exits.
• Employees visiting customer facilities should request an orientation if it is not offered to learn the locations of emergency exits.
• Emergency exit maps should be published and visible to all in the workplace.

Best Practices to Maintain Emergency Exits

• Signage indicating emergency exits should always be visible and not blocked with objects identifying their locations. 
• Employees should refrain from storing or stacking materials anywhere in emergency exits.
• Extension cords and other tools should not be placed in emergency exits as they can cause injuries from tripping and stumbling.
• Any marking or painting of emergency exits should be kept clean and newly coated to ensure visibility.
• Emergency exits should be inspected regularly to ensure safe use.

Summary

Emergency exits serve a vital purpose in ensuring safety. Correctly identifying and educating all individuals on their whereabouts can lead people to safety in the event of an emergency. Properly maintaining these exits can ensure they remain as effectively designed. Take time today to understand where your nearest emergency exits are and ensure that the path to them is clear.

Discussion points:      

1. Where is the nearest emergency exits in your work area?
2. Is it acceptable to store objects near an emergency exit if it is just for a short period of time?

Emergency Exits – Safety Talk Ideas