|
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
| Worker Safety in Plastics Processing
|
Back |
|
|
|
There are significant hazards involved in plastic processing that have the
potential for causing serious worker injury and property damage. Although there
are many different types of exposures, most safety professionals believe the
more serious injuries can result from either machinery-related accidents or
worker exposure to hazardous chemicals. Even though personal protective
equipment may be available to mitigate exposures, management should strive to
design out the danger and employ engineering solutions before relying on
personal protective equipment. Here we offer questions to help evaluate worker
and work environment safety.
Machinery hazards
-
Can every worker in the facility identify the hazards associated with each
machine?
-
Is machine safety training provided for each new employee?
-
Have all workers been trained in lockout/tagout procedures, and are these
procedures always followed?
-
Has an emergency shutoff device been installed on each machine?
-
Have machine guards been properly installed on each machine?
-
Are workers forbidden to remove or override these machine guards while the
machine is energized?
-
Are machines allowed to cool before maintenance is performed?
-
Is personal protective equipment provided to protect workers from hot plastic,
excessive noise, dust and plastic fragments?
-
Are forklift drivers trained and certified to perform their function?
-
Have forklift battery-charging areas or refueling areas been located to
minimize danger to workers?
Chemical hazards
-
Has management obtained a material safety data sheet for each hazardous
chemical?
-
Have workers been trained on how to read a material safety data sheet and
understand the safety precautions?
-
Can workers identify the chemicals they are working with that may cause injury
or illness?
-
Are workers provided proper personal protective equipment for each task or job
function where chemical exposure exists?
-
Are workers trained on chemical spills and actions to take to protect
themselves from harm?
-
Is there adequate ventilation to remove dust, fumes, vapors and small particles
from the work areas?
-
Are respirators used, and are the workers trained on fitting, cleaning and
storing the masks?
-
Are eyewash stations located strategically throughout the facility, and are
they functional?
-
Has an emergency evacuation plan been developed and tested?
COPYRIGHT ©2002, ISO Services Properties, Inc. CH-50-08 3/14/02
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|