With all the focus in the last few years on personal protective equipment (PPE), it's easy to lose sight of the fact that it is only one factor in a safe workplace — and other factors may be even more important.
But how could it be that things like safety glasses, masks, hearing protection and hard hats might not be the most important factor in safety? According to safety experts, it's difficult to quantify PPE's impact on safety, because use of these things is voluntary and can't always be controlled.
Some factors can always be controlled and make or break safety on the job:
1. Hazard elimination
2. Machine guarding, interlocks
3. Warning signs and alarms
4. Training and inspections
Once these overall safety practices are in place, once again it comes down to individual choices to follow through with safety.
* Follow the dress code.
* Wear PPE.
* Take personal responsibility.
* Keep workspaces clean and clutter free.
* Follow workplace procedures.
* Know what to do in an emergency.
* Report hazardous situations.
