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SAFETY MOMENT, FEBRUARY 19

Keep exits and emergency equipment clear

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Safety moment, February 19

Keep exits and emergency equipment clear

A messy work area leads to slips, trips, cuts, falling objects and fires. Clutter can also block an exit or an extinguisher right when you need it. A mess that looks minor can have serious consequences, so good housekeeping is part of the job, not a once-a-week cleanup.

SAFETY MOMENT

February 19

The hazard

A messy work area leads to slips, trips, cuts, falling objects and fires. Clutter can also block an exit or an extinguisher right when you need it. A mess that looks minor can have serious consequences, so good housekeeping is part of the job, not a once-a-week cleanup.

The action

Exits and the routes to them must be kept free of all obstructions so they can be used right away in a fire or other emergency. Never stack materials in front of exit doors, fire extinguishers or electrical panels. If you see something blocking an exit, move it or report it right away. (29 CFR 1926.34(c))

ASK THE CREW

Which areas on our job get messy fastest, and why?

Takeaway: Clean as you go, keep walkways and exits clear, and put waste where it belongs, every task and every day.

From the talk: Housekeeping. Read it in full, free, with the questions and the sign-in sheet.

HOW TO USE IT

How to give a safety moment

  1. Gather the crew where they work, before the shift or the meeting starts. Read the hazard out loud.
  2. Ask the question and let two or three people answer. What they say about their own work counts for more than what you read.
  3. Name the action and point to one place on today's job where it applies, so everyone knows what to do differently.
  4. Write the date and the names on a sign-in sheet.

A safety moment is short and does not replace the full talk. When you want to go through a topic with the crew, pick a free toolbox talk.

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