palletcentral

30 Pallet C e nt ral • No vem be r-D e cem be r 2 0 24 SAFETY CONT. in mind to be confident in your product but not overconfident in your safety: 1. Conduct Regular Risk Assessments And Focus On Safety Enhancements. Assessing risks regularly helps maintain awareness of existing hazards and identify new ones, which is crucial in dynamic environments where operational changes can occur. Assess every task and work area separately since hazards can vary widely across different operations and product lines. Each job and environment is distinct, necessitating a customized evaluation to assess associated risks. Revise workstations to reduce or eliminate hazards wherever possible. 2. Conduct Job Task Audits. Utilize a hazard identification checklist to ensure thorough consideration of potential injuries that might be missed. While commonly acknowledged hazards like moving equipment and pinch points are usually recognized, specific risks such as intense equipment vibrations can create ergonomic hazards. e checklist should assist in the assessment while remaining open to identifying other hazards not explicitly listed. Have a second set of eyes observe employee actions to improve hazard awareness and self-awareness. Foster open communication and feedback to enhance the effectiveness of equipment use audits. 3. Opt For Safer Equipment, Materials, Practices, And Tools. Personal protective equipment (PPE) is a non- negotiable must, but it is largely dependent on worker compliance and proper usage. Employees should always wear cut-resistant gloves when handling wooden pallets. Auto-retracting utility knives can lower laceration risks, while installing area or point-of-operation guards can prevent employee exposure to equipment or material hazards. Explore replacing harmful chemicals causing contact dermatitis with safer alternatives for employees. Provide various PPE options to accommodate different needs and preferences, and implement administrative controls like job rotations to mitigate repetitive strain injuries. Additionally, workers should 30 Pallet C e nt ral • No vem be r-D e cem be r 2 0 24 "It's important for employees to remember first and foremost that pallets can be extremely heavy and that disassembling them—especially those that are built with specialized nails—can be hazardous, as it o en involves pulling apart boards by prying, cu ng, or smashing them."

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