Pages in this chapter (4 of 4)
1.5 Basic Safety Orientation
Before a job starts, every worker needs a picture of the common hazards and of the ways to stay safe. These are the main ones.
Hazard communication
Chemical containers must carry labels, with the identity of the contents and warnings of the hazards. Manufacturers and importers must supply a safety data sheet (SDS) for each hazardous chemical, and the employer must keep the sheets where workers can get to them at once. Under the current Hazard Communication Standard, which follows the Globally Harmonized System, the older name material safety data sheet (MSDS) has been replaced by SDS, and every SDS has the same 16 sections. Part 7 explains this in detail.
Personal protective equipment
The employer must assess the hazards and decide what PPE workers need, and must train workers to use it properly. Examples:
- eye and face protection: safety glasses, goggles, face shields
- head protection: hard hats against falling objects and electrical contact
- hand and foot protection: gloves of a material that suits the chemical, safety boots, metatarsal guards
- chemical protective clothing
- respiratory protection: air purifying respirators or atmosphere supplying respirators, when air is toxic or oxygen is low
- hearing protection: ear plugs, ear muffs or both
Other common hazards at a glance
| Hazard | The basics |
|---|---|
| Electrical | Keep conductive equipment and unauthorised people away from exposed live parts. Use adequate light. Use non-conductive ladders near electrical work. |
| Falls | Use guardrails, covers or a personal fall arrest system of a body harness, a lanyard and a secure anchor. |
| Lockout and tagout | Authorised people fit locks and tags to energy sources and check that the equipment cannot start. |
| Confined spaces | Entry and exit are limited and ventilation is poor, and the air may be toxic or short of oxygen. Isolate the piping, test the air, wear PPE and keep communications open. |
| Fire prevention | Correct wiring, equipment in good condition, flammable liquids in proper containers. |
| First aid | Workers must have training in basic first aid where there is no clinic near. |
| Bloodborne pathogens | Do not touch blood or body fluids. If you must, wear gloves and eye protection and put sharps in proper containers. |
| Temperature stress | Heat cramps, exhaustion and stroke from heat. Frostbite and hypothermia from cold. |
Key terms
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Competent person | Someone who can identify existing and predictable hazards and who has the authority to correct them promptly. |
| Guardrail | A protective rail around an elevated platform. |
| Scaffold | A temporary platform for people working at height. |
| Hazardous chemical | A chemical that can cause physical or health harm. |
| Bloodborne pathogens | Infectious micro-organisms in human blood, such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV. |
A study aid, not published or endorsed by IOSH or OSHA. Laws and limits differ between countries.