Conquer Hazards with Safe Habits

A habit is a tendency or disposition to act in a certain way. It is acquired by the repetition of acts. Our ability to acquire habits—whether good or bad—is tied directly to our need for comfort and security. Habits enable us to perform tasks by rote, so that we know they’ll be done properly without our having to plan every step in advance.

Safe work habits can save a lot of pain and misery. The importance of developing these on the job is that we are protected even if we are not thinking about the hazard in particular.

If we could always be alert, never let our attention wander, and remember to use all the safe practices and equipment required, then habits would not be necessary. However, these conditions do not always exist. We are sometimes "off our feed," tired, depressed, preoccupied, thinking about something else. It’s at these times that safe work habits really pay off, because hazards are always present.

Here are some potential hazards and the safety habits that may protect you from being injured:

HAZARD: The possibility of getting into the path of a moving object as it closes in on a stationary object.

SAFETY HABITS: See that the opening on machine parts is guarded. Look for cross-overs or cross-unders and use them when they are needed. Pay attention to warning devices such as starting signals or backup alarms, and see that they are there and used.

HAZARD: Catch points. These are created by objects, either stationary or in motion, that have sharp corners, splines, teeth, or other rough shapes and surfaces capable of catching the operator or his clothing.

EXAMPLES: Rotating drills, reamers and tapers, spline shafts, milling cutters, broaches, keys and keyways, nails on the inside of kegs and packing crates.

SAFETY HABITS: Wear proper clothing. Make sure guards are in place, and always use them. Remove nails and staples from kegs and packing crates. Report any unsafe condition.

HAZARD: Shear points. Nip or cut hazards are created by two objects, one or both being in motion as they pass one another.

EXAMPLES: Shears, dies, paper cutters, reciprocating mechanisms.

SAFETY HABITS: Same as for catch points.

HAZARD: Squeeze points. These are also created when the distance between two objects, one or both of which may be moving, reduces to the extent that a crushing injury will result should an employee be caught in this shrinking area.

EXAMPLES: Machine tables at extreme traverse position forming squeeze points with other machines, walls, and building columns. Large transfer-type machines and materials being moved on power conveyors create squeeze points with fixed objects along the conveyor.

SAFETY HABITS: Maintain minimum clearance of 18 inches between moving and fixed objects. Relocate objects if necessary. Maintain sweep bars in the squeeze area equipped with shutoff switches wired into the control circuit of the equipment creating the squeeze point. The presence of an employee against the sweep bar would shut off the equipment. Maintain and use proper guarding.

HAZARD: Run-in points. Mash and crush hazards are created by two objects in contact with and rotating toward one another.

EXAMPLES: Belts and sheaves, chains and sprockets, gears in mesh, roll, conveyor chains and traction wheels, ropes and pulleys, cables and drums, gears and racks.

SAFETY HABITS: Maintain and use proper guarding. Know your equipment. Never operate or work close to unfamiliar equipment.

Building safe habits is like turning on an autopilot in your body. It lets you function with less mental stress and fosters an increase in thinking capacity.

Habits are acquired slowly—do, repeat, redo, repeat, the same way every time. When you’ve managed to acquire the safety habits we just discussed, you’ll recognize and avoid these hazards of being caught in, on, or between.