Workplace Safety: PPE, Inspections, and Accident Prevention

Posted on Feb 11, 2025 in Business Administration and Innovation Management

What is Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)?

PPE refers to any personal protective equipment worn by a farm worker to protect them from risks that could threaten their safety and health, including any addition or accessory designed for that purpose.

What is a Safety Inspection?

A safety inspection is an analytical technique involving direct observation of the employee’s work environment. It is a tool to identify, analyze, and monitor unsafe conditions and acts that can cause damage to materials, personnel, and the environment.

Types of Inspections

Inspections can be:

  • Planned (according to a report) or spontaneous
  • Formal or informal
  • Comprehensive
  • Critical part
  • Special (internal or external, with or without notice)

Checklist Classifications

Checklists can be classified as:

  • General: Covering elements such as machinery, tools, lifting, and transport apparatus.
  • Specific: Addressing specific aspects like electrical systems, fire prevention, and protection.

Preset formats are used to direct the inspector’s vision toward risk factors of interest, helping to maintain control.

Purpose of Incident Investigation

The key purpose is to prevent a recurrence of the same accident by discovering what happened and the real causes. The goal is prevention, not to direct blame, seek apologies, defend a position, argue, or seek legal culpability.

Stages of Accident Investigation

  1. Gather information: Seek and establish the facts.
  2. Isolate the key factors that caused the accident.
  3. Discover the real cause.
  4. Identify corrective actions.
  5. Implement corrective actions.

Order and Cleaning

Order ensures that each element is used as designed. Disorder results from improvisation and can lead to accidents. Cleanup helps appreciate things as they are, avoiding items that may pose a high risk.

Basic Rules of Order and Cleaning

  1. Keep aisles clear at all times.
  2. Keep machines and workstations clean.
  3. Place waste in appropriate containers.
  4. Use drums or containers for waste to maintain clean and orderly conditions.

The 5S Methodology

  1. Seiri (Sort): Separate what is needed from what is not. Discard the useless.
  2. Seiton (Set in Order): Put needed items in readily accessible locations.
  3. Seiso (Shine): Clean the dirty areas.
  4. Seiketsu (Standardize): Maintain a constant state of order and cleanliness in the job site.
  5. Shitsuke (Sustain): Implement the 5S principles in the workplace and adhere to them.

Advantages of Implementing Discipline in Order and Cleaning

  • Avoid reprimands and sanctions.
  • Improve performance.
  • Improve image.
  • Staff is more appreciated by supervisors and colleagues.

Employer Responsibilities Regarding PPE

  • Assess potential workplace dangers.
  • Provide PPE.
  • Determine when to use PPE.
  • Facilitate training in the use of PPE.
  • Conduct daily inspections and maintain PPE in proper condition.

Causes of Head Injuries

  1. Falling objects (e.g., tools).
  2. Bumping the head against objects (e.g., beams).
  3. Electrical contact.

Causes of Body Injuries

  1. Splashes of hot metal or liquid.
  2. Impact from tools, machinery, or materials.
  3. Hazardous chemicals.