This document provides an overview of workplace safety topics including chemical hazards, OSHA regulations, use of material safety data sheets (MSDS), safe practices for hand tools and power tools, proper use of personal protective equipment, fire prevention and fire extinguisher use, first aid, and preventing slips, trips and falls. It emphasizes following safety procedures and regulations, wearing appropriate protective gear, keeping work areas organized and hazard-free, and knowing how to respond in emergencies.

1. Module 1
Workplace Safety
Developed by: Wes Pelletier, April 2008

2. Work Place Safety
• Chemical Hazards
• OSHA
• MSDS
• Hand Tools
• Power Tools
• PPE
• Cuts and Abrasions
• Fire Prevention
• Fire Extinguisher
• First Aid
• Slips, Trips and Falls
• Housekeeping
• Heat Stress
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3. Work Place Safety
Chemical Hazards
• Follow all rules regarding storage
and handling of Hazardous
Materials (HAZMAT)
• Always use available safety gear
when handling all HAZMAT items
• Be aware of potential flash points
• Know how to use Material Safety
Data Sheets (MSDS) and where
they are located in the workplace
• Follow the companies Hazard
Communication program
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4. Work Place Safety
OSHA
• Occupational Safety and Health
Administration
• It was created by Congress under
the Occupational Safety and Health
Act, signed by President Richard M.
Nixon, on December 29, 1970. Its
mission is to prevent work-related
injuries, illnesses, and deaths by
issuing and enforcing rules (called
standards) for workplace safety and
health
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5. Work Place Safety
Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)
• Is a form containing data regarding
the properties of a particular
substance.
• An important component of product
stewardship and workplace safety, it
is intended to provide workers and
emergency personnel with
procedures for handling or working
with that substance in a safe
manner, and includes information
such as physical data (melting point,
boiling point, flash point, etc.),
toxicity, health effects, first aid,
reactivity, storage, disposal,
protective equipment, and spill
handling procedures
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6. Work Place Safety
Hand Tools
• Tools are such a common part of our lives
that it is difficult to remember that they
may pose hazards. All tools are
manufactured with safety in mind but,
tragically, a serious accident often occurs
before steps are taken to search out and
avoid or eliminate tool-related hazards
• Hand tools are non-powered. They
include anything from axes to wrenches.
The greatest hazards posed by hand tools
result from misuse and improper
maintenance.
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7. Work Place Safety
Hand Tools Cont.
• Using a screwdriver as a chisel may cause the tip of the screwdriver to
break and fly, hitting the user or other employees.
• If a wooden handle on a tool such as a hammer or an axe is loose,
splintered, or cracked, the head of the tool may fly off and strike the user or
another worker.
• A wrench must not be used if its jaws are sprung, because it might slip.
• Impact tools such as chisels, wedges, or drift pins are unsafe if they have
mushroomed heads. The heads might shatter on impact, sending sharp
fragments flying.
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8. Work Place Safety
Power Tools
• Power tools can be hazardous when
improperly used. There are several types
of power tools, based on the power
source they use: electric, pneumatic,
liquid fuel, hydraulic, and powder-
actuated.
• Employees should be trained in the use of
all tools - not just power tools. They
should understand the potential hazards
as well as the safety precautions to
prevent those hazards from occurring.
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9. Work Place Safety
Power Tools Cont.
• Never carry a tool by the cord or hose.
• Never yank the cord or the hose to disconnect it from the receptacle.
• Keep cords and hoses away from heat, oil, and sharp edges.
• Disconnect tools when not in use, before servicing, and when changing
accessories such as blades, bits and cutters.
• All observers should be kept at a safe distance away from the work area.
• Secure work with clamps or a vise, freeing both hands to operate the tool.
• Avoid accidental starting. Never hold a finger on the switch button while a
carrying plugged-in tool.
• Be sure to keep good footing and maintain good balance.
• Proper clothing should be worn. Loose clothing, ties, or jewelry can
become caught in moving parts.
• All portable electric tools that are damaged shall be removed from use.
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10. Work Place Safety
PPE
• Ensure your PPE is always in good
working order
• Always wear appropriate gear for the
hazard you are exposed to ie.
– Chemical
– Loud Noises
– Proper Eye protection
– Hard Hats
– Safety toe shoes / boots
– Gloves
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11. Work Place Safety
Cuts and Abrasions
• Always wear proper hand protection
when handling metal parts.
• Be aware of metal shavings after
dressing out threads.
• Be aware of sharp edges on metal
parts.
• Be aware of flying metal chips during
thread maintenance.
• Be cautious when moving oversized or
heavy parts.
• Watch pinch points or areas where
hands or fingers could be caught
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12. Work Place Safety
Fire Protection
• Fire protection is the prevention and
reduction of the hazards associated with fires
• Know your companies fire exit / escape plan
• Know who to call, ie. 911
• Never smoke around combustible or
flammable materials / chemicals
• Be aware of the hazards around you
• Ensure hazardous materials are properly
stored in an approved container
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13. Work Place Safety
Fire Extinguisher
• The typical steps for operating a stored
pressure fire extinguisher (described by the
acronym "PASS") are the following:
– P - Pull the safety pin and test
– A - Aim the nozzle at the base of the
fire, from a safe distance (*about 1 to 3
meters (4 to 10 feet) away)
– S - Squeeze the handle
– S - Sweep the extinguisher from side to
side while aiming at the base of the fire
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14. Work Place Safety
First Aid
• Call for help, ( 911 or co-worker )
• Inform people around to assist if needed
• Seek medical attention
• Know the location of nearest first-aid kit
• If required, turn off electrical equipment
• Accidents happened when you least expect it!
• Always be prepared!
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15. Work Place Safety
Slips, Trips and Falls
• Keep work areas clean
• Wipe up spills immediately
• Ensure walking areas are free from
tripping hazards
• Do not extend cords or cables across
pathways
• Keep tool box drawers closed when
not in use
• Use proper safety gear when working
on ladders or scaffolds
• Wear proper foot gear
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16. Work Place Safety
Housekeeping
• Practicing good housekeeping eliminates
accidents and fire hazards, saves
energy, improves space management,
minimizes material inventories, helps
control property damage and encourages
better working habits.
– Put tools away in their proper place
– Keep work areas free of clutter
– Account for all tools used on the job
– Clean up spills
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17. Work Place Safety
Heat Stress
• Four environmental factors
affect the amount of stress a
worker faces in a hot work
area: temperature, humidity,
radiant heat (such as from the
sun or a furnace) and air
velocity. Perhaps most
important to the level of stress
an individual faces are
personal characteristics such
as age, weight, fitness,
medical condition and
acclimatization to the heat.
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18. Work Place Safety
Heat Stress Cont.
• Characteristic signs are:
– Heat Stroke - mental confusion, delirium, loss of consciousness,
convulsions or coma; a body temperature of 106 degrees F or higher;
hot dry skin which may be red, mottled, or bluish.
– Heat exhaustion - results from loss of fluid through sweating when a
worker has failed to drink enough fluids or take in enough salt or both.
The worker with heat exhaustion still sweats but experiences extreme
weakness or fatigue, giddiness, nausea, or headache.
– Heat cramps - painful spasms of the muscles, are caused when workers
drink large quantities of water but fail to replace their bodies’ salt loss.
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