It’s easy to forget how dangerous tools can be. They’re around every worksite, in constant use. But tool safety is everyone’s responsibility. Training is the first step in tool safety. Employees can’t be expected to know the proper operation of a tool. Train them on even basic tools, but especially power tools. Maintain tools to ensure tool safety. Lubrication prevents overheating and seizing. Proper storage keeps tools from becoming trip hazards or falling objects. Also, …
This is the story of tragedy that could have been avoided with better safety housekeeping. Here, we detail a fatal accident at a sugar refinery in Wyoming, and review of the OSHA citations. A Gemba walk by managers, or a safety inspection by employees, could have identified the easily-resolved problems. Safety housekeeping is absolutely essential. No system in place to identify even minor safety problems? It’s time to establish one, and fix issues right away. …
Increase efficiency by red-tagging items you don’t need immediately. Store them or get rid of them. Red tagging is part of “Sort”, one of the five elements of a Japanese system of streamlining manufacturing called 5S. The five elements of 5S are Sort, Set In Order, Shine, Standardize, and Sustain. If you’re eager to improve your work environment and increase productivity, start some safety housekeeping with 5S red tags. TRANSCRIPT: (:00) intro music and effects …
