Tips for working safely in an industrial environment

Do you work in an industrial environment? Then you have to deal with safety risks. To start your work well prepared and to prevent you from ending up in unsafe situations, we have listed important information for you. 

Personal protective equipment (PPE)

The company where you work, the so-called 'hirer', provides personal protective equipment that is necessary for the performance of your work. These resources are also on the ARBO checklist. You are obliged to use them correctly and take good care of them. In this way we ensure your safety together; our shared responsibility.

Tools for lifting and carrying

Many heavy objects are used in industry: machines, parts of installations, but also end products or building materials. To prevent unnecessary injuries or even permanent injuries, we believe it is important that you comply with the rules that apply to lifting and carrying objects.

ALWAYS USE TOOLS WITH OBJECTS HEAVIER THAN 25 KG. YOU SHOULD ALSO USE AID FOR COUGHLY LARGE OBJECTS.

Lifting by hand

Keep the following rules in mind when lifting:

• Do not bend or lift unnecessarily and preferably use aids.
• First think about how you are going to move an object, clear the way of obstacles and only then take action.
• If the floor you have to move on is slippery, use work shoes with a non-slip sole.
• Determine the weight and center of gravity of the load in advance.
• Stand directly in front of the object you are going to lift.
• Never turn your back to lift, move your feet to lift straight.
• Place your feet hip-width apart and find good balance before you start lifting.
• Bend your knees and keep your back straight. This allows you to strain the strongest muscles: your thighs.
• Tighten your abdominal muscles to take the strain off your back and lift with both hands.
• Move slowly, keep the load as close to your body as possible and never lift higher than shoulder height.
• Listen to your body: pain is a signal of overload. You feel it best yourself. Early complaints quickly get worse, so don't force anything and use aids where possible.

Hand tools and machines

If you work with hand tools (with or without drive), machine tools or welding and cutting equipment, the associated safety rules apply.

• Make sure you know the directions for use and instructions that come with these tools.
• Never operate machinery for which you have not been trained.
• Never remove any protections that have been installed.
• 50 Volt AC and 120 Volt DC are considered 'safe' under normal circumstances. Safe voltage is used in areas of greater risk, such as damp and confined spaces. And even safe tension is not without risks: if you are wet (for example due to sweat) or not healthy, you can suffer serious injuries. So always adhere to the safety regulations!
• Only use tools for the purpose for which they are intended.
• Keep tools tidy and put them back in a tool box after use.
• Do not use damaged or defective tools and have maintenance on power tools carried out only by authorized persons.
  
  

Working with moving parts

Machines and tools with moving parts involve risks. To reduce these risks, you can take a number of precautions yourself:

• Wear well-fitting clothing without wide legs or sleeves.
• Your clothing should not have any frays or tears.
• Tie long hair in a short ponytail and wear a beard net if you have a long beard.
• Do not wear gloves or rings if your hands can reach the moving parts.
• Never slow down tools with your hands, but let them turn on their own.
• If you are working with a loose workpiece, clamp it to a workbench. Never hold it with your hands while working.

Working with hazardous substances

The industrial sector often works with substances that, if used incorrectly, can cause injury to materials, people, buildings, installations or the environment. This can be a direct injury, such as an explosion or burns, but also injury that does not appear immediately harmful, such as soil pollution. When working with hazardous substances, it is important that you recognize the correct pictograms. Hazardous substances exist in different states:

• Gas (e.g. hydrogen sulphide
• Vapor (e.g. hydrochloric acid)
• Solid (e.g. soda)
• Liquid (e.g. sulfuric acid)
• Mist (e.g. fog)
• Dust (e.g. asbestos)

On the ARB0 checklist you can always find which personal protective equipment is necessary when working with a hazardous substance.

Work at height

European guidelines stipulate that working at height is only permitted if work is performed from a safe, ergonomically sound scaffolding, scaffolding, platform or work floor. Working with a ladder is therefore only allowed if the risk of accidents is so small that there is no reason to use other work equipment. Moreover, the work must be short-term. Even if a location cannot be adapted, the use of a ladder is permitted. This applies, for example, to monuments to which nothing may be attached. Building and maintaining scaffolding is a specialist job. Een Well-built scaffolding is a safe workplace and it is therefore important that you never change anything on a scaffolding.

Working in confined spaces

Process equipment that is difficult to access, sewers, wells and cellars fall under the category of confined spaces. Een normal working posture is often not possible here and there is usually poor ventilation. A special work permit is required to work in confined spaces. The work permit also states the specific safety regulations. Ask your contact person at the workplace and or check the ARB0 checklist.

Transportation

We complete a declaration of availability for all our drivers. However, the driver is always legally responsible for the safety of the vehicle. We therefore point out a number of precautions that you can take:

• Before you start driving, check the tires, brakes, lights, horn and oil level.
• Ensure clean windows and mirrors.
• Check the car before and after driving and report any defects immediately to your manager.
• Check and secure loads before driving.
• Do not take passengers if the vehicle is not suitable for them. If you can transport passengers and you plan to do so, only do so in consultation with the company
• Use steps and handles, if present, and ensure that they are clean and free of grease.
• Drive carefully and alertly.
• Watch out for pedestrians, especially when reversing.
• If possible, make sure you have someone who can guide you when reversing.
• Remove the keys from the ignition when you leave the vehicle.

Together we do our best to carry out the work as well and as quickly as possible. Always adhere to the rules and regulations. Any fines for culpable behavior, such as speeding, are always at your own expense.

Work permits

Work permit regulations apply in some work areas. A work permit always accurately describes who does what work, how and where. The work permit also states which safety measures are required, who is responsible for them and whether the measures have been taken. If a work permit applies to the place where you will be working, you will hear this via your contact person at Actief Werkt! . We will also tell you which specific rules apply and point you to the associated ARBO checklist.

More information

We are jointly responsible for a safe workplace. That is why we want you to be well prepared and that you have somewhere to turn if things do not go as they should. If you have any doubts about whether you are aware of the correct rules or if you notice that safety rules are not being sufficiently adhered to at your workplace, please let us know immediately. You can contact your Actief Werkt! branch or email veiligheid@actiefwerkt.nl .