Chapter 11 - Accident and Injury Prevention and Procedures

Abstract

Sometimes it is the simplest of precautions that can return the greatest results. Often employees will be mindful of major safety practices such as energized work procedures, arc blast protection, and installing conduit in trenches, but they won't take the time to focus on repetitious movements, ear protection, ladder safety, or basic first aid. An effective safety program will identify potential work injuries and provide alternative work methods to avoid them. For example, heavy loads such as large spools of wire bundles of conduit, or heavy tools and machinery place great stress on muscles, discs, and vertebrae. Lifting any load that is heavier than about 50 pounds will increase the risk of injury, particularly if you lift and twist or if proper lifting postures are not used. Everyone should be trained in the right way to lift a load, and to use forklifts or duct lifts to lift articles such as heavy spools, transformers, switch gears, service sections, conduit, and machinery. Opt to use ramps or lift gates to load machinery into trucks instead of lifting it up and into the vehicle.