| are many potential dangers to workers in an | | | | these. For example, bending the knees instead of |
| industrial environment, this is why it is vital that | | | | the back, and moving as close as possible to the |
| employers and staff do all they can to ensure | | | | object before lifting, are both important measures |
| workplace safety. Managers’ health and | | | | to take to prevent back injury. While lifting, the |
| safety duties will often include activities such as | | | | back should then stay straight and the legs and |
| training employees in health and safety | | | | arms should do all the work. Picking up objects |
| procedures, carrying out regular safety inspections | | | | slowly and carefully, and avoiding twisting while |
| and identifying hazards and eliminating them. | | | | lifting, are also important safety measures which |
| When injuries do occur, they are frequently | | | | should be included in training. |
| connected to issues such as ergonomics or | | | | 3. Equipment |
| improper lifting. The most common areas of the | | | | Faulty equipment is a common cause of injury, so |
| body injured in industrial accidents are the spine, | | | | all equipment must be tested regularly by |
| hands, head, lungs, eyes, skeleton and skin. Here | | | | employers or managers to ensure everything is |
| are five of the most common dangers of | | | | working correctly. If an injury occurs because of |
| working in an industrial environment. | | | | faulty equipment, the employer is considered |
| 1. Ergonomics | | | | negligent, even though the fault may have been in |
| Ergonomics is the science of designing equipment | | | | the equipment at purchase. Regular safety checks |
| and workplace layouts to fit the worker and | | | | on machinery and other tools are vital. |
| prevent unnecessary injuries. It is intended to | | | | 4. Hazards |
| improve both health and productivity and is an | | | | Other hazards such as any chemicals used in a |
| important requirement in the design of manually | | | | factory or any other dangerous substances can |
| operated equipment and machinery. Inadequate | | | | cause injury and employees must be trained in |
| ergonomic planning can lead to a number of | | | | using these safely. For example, employees |
| work-related musculoskeletal diseases such as | | | | working in an industrial setting where lead is used |
| repetitive strain injuries and cumulative trauma | | | | may be in danger of lead poisoning if proper |
| disorders, and these can lead to permanent | | | | safety procedures are not in place. |
| disabilities if not properly addressed. Identifying | | | | 5. Clothes or Hair Tangled in Machinery |
| potential risks and implementing health and safety | | | | It is a horrifying thought, but in fact it is fairly |
| procedures relating to ergonomic issues are | | | | common for industrial injuries to occur as a result |
| therefore important steps for employers to take. | | | | of stray items of clothing, jewellery or hair |
| 2. Lifting | | | | becoming tangled up in machinery. Safety |
| Lifting heavy objects in the wrong way is a very | | | | procedures and training must therefore be in place |
| common reason for industrial injuries to the back. | | | | so that employees are aware of the risks and |
| However, there are some simple techniques which | | | | maintain a strictly monitored dress code |
| will drastically reduce the likelihood of being injured | | | | appropriate for their working environment. |
| while lifting, ands employees need to be trained in | | | | |