Introduction to Safety in the Workplace

Responsibilities (from the Mine Health and Safety Act)

• The employer or manager must:

  • Ensure a healthy and safe work environment for employees.

  • Ensure that employees are trained to deal with the health and safety risks associated with their work.

  • Provide workers with appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), free of charge.

• The employee must:

  • Take care to protect his or her own health and safety, as well as the health and safety of other persons who may be affected by what he or she does.

  • Use and take proper care of PPE and other safety facilities and equipment provided.

  • Comply with prescribed health and safety measures.

Definition of an Accident

• An accident is an undesired event, often caused by:

  • Unsafe acts of persons.

  • Unsafe conditions in the workplace.

• Consequences of an accident may result in:

  • Physical harm (injury, death, negative influence on health).

  • Damage to tools, equipment, or property.

  • Loss of production.

Basic Causes of Accidents

Unsafe Acts

• The following are considered unsafe acts in the workplace and must be avoided:

  • Working at unsafe speeds and taking shortcuts.

  • Doing jobs that you are untrained for and not authorized to do.

  • Working without guards on machinery, i.e., not replacing or fitting guards on moving machinery where there is a risk of being caught or where other injury may result.

  • Failure to secure machinery or material.

  • Using incorrect tools for the job, or broken or worn tools (e.g., blunt screwdrivers, burred chisels).

  • Making adjustments to machines without switching them off and waiting for them to become stationary.

  • Touching moving parts of machinery.

  • Not wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) when required by the job.

  • Not obeying safety signs in the workplace (e.g., smoking where it is prohibited).

  • Horseplay in the workplace (e.g., pushing or shoving fellow employees).

Unsafe Conditions

• The following unsafe conditions in the workplace must be recognized and corrected:

  • General work area irregularities which may increase the risk of accidents.

Good Hygiene Practices

• Put litter in bins.

• Maintain high levels of personal hygiene to prevent skin disease and ingestion of hazardous chemical and biological substances (germs, bacteria, etc.) by:

  • Not eating or storing food and drink in work areas.

  • Keeping your skin and work clothing clean.

  • Washing hands before eating and after using the toilet.

Correct Use of Tools and Equipment

Safe Care and Use of Hand Tools

• Check for defects:

  • Hammers: handles tight, no mushrooming of heads.

  • Files: handles fitted, ensure sharpness.

  • Screwdrivers: tips square and correctly shaped, not worn, handles in good condition, insulated, and secured.

  • Chisels and punches: heads not mushroomed and burred.

  • Spanners: not rounded.

• Apply general safety rules:

  • Use the correct tool for the job.

  • Use the correct size tool for the job.

  • Report and replace broken tools.

  • Use tools correctly.

  • Store tools away after use.

• Use hand tools safely:

  • Screwdrivers: work secured, must fit the screw, use drill or awl to start the screw.

  • Hammers: keep eyes on nail or chisel, wear gloves or use foam rubber discs, wear goggles if necessary.

  • Files: keep clean and sharp, ensure handle is fitted and tight, never hit with a hammer or use as a lever, do not put in pocket.

Portable Electrical Equipment

• Examine before use:

  • Ensure it is earthed (if not double insulated).

  • Check the cord for cracks or weakness - replace, do not patch.

  • Check switch for correct on/off operation.

  • Check for damages or cracks in housing.

• Operate safely:

  • Place cord safely, away from heat, water, oil, and out of the way of persons walking or vehicles crossing.

  • Stop tools before adjusting.

  • Secure work piece.

  • Work at the correct speed - do not force.

  • Wear PPE when appropriate.

Use of Ladders

• Examine ladders before use:

  • Keep ladders clean - dirt hides defects, grease or oil causes slips.

  • Check for defects, cracks, etc.; repair or replace as necessary.

  • Check safety feet where fitted and the hinges on step ladders.

• Use ladders safely:

  • Use the correct ladder for the job (size and type).

  • Avoid metal ladders when working on electrical apparatus.

  • Do not bring into contact with power conductors.

  • Place at the correct angle - 4 to 1/3 of its length from the object it is resting against; it should extend 1m above its support if possible.

  • Unless securely tied at the top, hold the ladder by another person.

  • Lock hinges when using a step ladder.

  • Lock doors before placing the ladder over the door.

  • Do not lean ladder against windows or doors.

  • Use both hands to climb the ladder.

  • Haul tools up after using a bucket or basket and remove them after use.

  • Store ladders out of the way and safely after use: either lying on its side or suspended from several wall brackets to prevent warping.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Introduction

• PPE is not always the best safeguard against a particular hazard; removing or minimizing the danger is preferred.

• When necessary, PPE is the last line of defense.

  • It is crucial to choose the correct type of PPE for specific hazards (e.g., a dust respirator is not suitable for noxious fumes).

• Knowing the correct type and how to wear PPE is vital.

• Adherence to rules regarding PPE use is essential for one's safety.

  • Prolonged exposure to some hazards, like noise, may lead to permanent disabilities.

Types of PPE

Hand Protection

• Leather gloves must be worn when working with hot or sharp objects or when handling heavy materials.

• Rubber gloves must be worn when working with dangerous liquids such as acids, poison, etc. (not insulated).

• Insulated gloves (or special rubber) are required when working on live conductors, ensuring they are:

  • of the correct voltage rating,

  • clean, dry, and in perfect condition.

Foot Protection

• Safety shoes and boots, with steel caps where appropriate, must be worn to protect the feet and metatarsal bones.

Eye and Face Protection

• Safety goggles must be worn when grinding, chiseling, drilling, chasing, or using any machinery that may cause particles to fly and jeopardize the eyes (e.g., turning, milling).

• Darkened safety goggles are required when using oxy-acetylene equipment.

• A welding helmet or shield must be worn when using an arc welder.

• A face shield should be worn when working with dangerous liquids such as acids.

Hearing Protection

• Hearing protection (ear plugs or ear muffs) must be worn when noise levels reach 85 dBA and higher in the workplace, with types of noise to protect against including:

  • Continuous loud noise found in industrial plants.

  • Intermittent very loud noise from actions like blasting or hard banging, as experienced in workshops.

• Ear plugs and earmuffs can reduce noise levels by 25-40 dB.

Head Protection

• Hard hats must be worn in all mines, factories, plants, building sites, or any area where falling objects pose a danger.

Protective Clothing

• Protective clothing must be worn where necessary and appropriate.

  • Suitable overalls should be worn in the workplace.

  • Rubber aprons are used when working with hazardous liquids such as acids and chemicals.

  • Leather aprons must be worn when working with hot objects and during gas torch welding or cutting.

  • Spats and leggings can be used to protect legs.

• Safety belts must be used in high places such as roofs, poles, and overhead lines.

  • When working on overhead lines, the safety belt should be fastened to the pole but not over the cross arm for easier removal of an injured person.

Protection Against Inhalation of Hazardous Substances

• Dust masks or mechanical filter respirators should be used to filter dust in dust-laden atmospheres or during grinding and chasing.

  • Note: These masks are not suitable for gases and fumes.

• Chemical cartridge gas masks must be used when working with substances emitting noxious gases and fumes.

• A rescue pack, which is a type of canister respirator, must be carried by every person going underground or must be readily available to those working underground in fiery mining environments.

Safety Signs

• A symbolic safety sign consists of:

  • A geometric shape.

  • A color.

  • A pictogram.

• South Africa has developed an organized system to identify industrial hazards through safety signs.

• Five different categories of safety signs:

  • Triangular signs: Warn against certain hazards in the environment.

  • Circular disks: Mandate the use of personal protective equipment.

  • Square frame: Inform about the location of firefighting equipment.

  • Circular signs with an oblique diagonal line: Prohibit certain acts or things.

  • Square signs: Provide information on the direction and location of first aid and emergency exits.

Commonly Used Safety Signs in the Mining Industry

• Location of firefighting equipment.

• Fire extinguisher.

• Location of the fire hose.

• Fire hydrant.

• Smoking prohibited.

• Loose clothing, ties & unconfined long hair prohibited.

• General direction to warning of fire and open lights prohibited.

• Indication of first aid.

• Direction to escape routes.

• General warning of danger.

• Warning of fire.

• Warning of explosion.

• Warning of suspended loads.

• Warning of electrical shock.

• Eye protection shall be worn.

• Respiratory protection shall be worn.

• Hand protection shall be worn.

• Foot protection shall be worn.

Wiring and Mining Regulations

Wiring Regulations

• The SABS code of practice for wiring of premises (SABS 0142 of 1993 as amended) contains regulations that must be adhered to for electrical installations.

Mining Regulations

• A number of mining regulations under the Mine Health and Safety Act regulate how certain electrical work must be conducted in a mine. Key regulations include:

Safety Precautions for Electricians

Introduction

• Importance of Safety: Electricity is dangerous and generally invisible and inaudible, leading to permanent injuries or death via electrocution.

• Most electric shock instances result from ignorance, negligence, or willful disregard for safety.

• All possible safety precautions must be taken when working on electrical circuits or apparatus.

Isolate and Lock Out

• Key Safety Step: Always ensure the electrical supply is switched off before repairs.

• Lock out the isolating switch with a padlock or appropriate locking device, and place a notice board on the switch to inform people that work is in progress.

• Remove fuses as an additional precaution.

Work on Live Circuits

• If work must be done on live circuits, wear insulated rubber gloves

• Ensure gloves meet the correct voltage ratings and are in perfect condition (not worn or damaged).

Protection Devices

• Maintain electrical protection equipment, such as no-volt, overload, and earth leakage devices, to ensure personnel and equipment safety.

• No-volt apparatus on motors prevents automatic starts after interruptions in power supply.

Testing of Electric Appliances

• Regular tests should be conducted on all electrical appliances for safe operation.

• Focus on loose connections, perished insulation, broken covers, and visible damage in cables.

Adhere to Regulations

• All installations must meet the standard regulations for the wiring of premises to ensure maximum safety.