Wheelbarrows Safety Precautions

Wheelbarrows

When was the first time you used a wheelbarrow? As a passenger -- when you were little and you grandfather gave you a ride? Or perhaps it was when you and your buddies were just fooling around taking one another for a lift. Just stop and think what it would be like if we did not have wheelbarrows on the job site today.

A wheelbarrow consists of a wheel, two handles, and a shallow open pan that allows us to move material from one place to another. A very simple piece of equipment. All it takes is a strong, person to load and move it. Whether you are on the job or at home working around the yard, the wheelbarrow can be of great help to you, but there are several things to remember in order to use a wheelbarrow correctly and safely.

First of all never overload a wheelbarrow or attempt to lift more than necessary. An out of control wheelbarrow can crush you or a fellow worker. Balance your load over the wheel. When going through doorways pay particular attention to where you place your hands. Doorways, knuckles and wheelbarrow handles don't mix. Watch for holes in the floor, they can cause you to trip.

As with any other piece of equipment you need to keep them in good repair. Replace handles when needed, check the tire for proper pressure and lubricate the front wheel as required. Never use a wheelbarrow with a flat tire -- it was not designed to roll on the wheel rim.

If the task is too large for a wheelbarrow, use a hand truck or pickup. Never take a short cut, ask your supervisor for additional help. Work gloves, hard hat and safety shoes should be part of your personal protective equipment when handling a wheelbarrow. As with any other hand tool, play it safe -- follow the rules -- wear your personal safety gear -- and then let the wheelbarrow do the work safely. After use, be sure to store it properly.

Your hands Safety

Your Hands

The most used tool in almost any workplace is the Human Hand.  Try writing without using your thumb, try holding a hammer with only two fingers and you will know.

No matter what your job is, your hands are the main point of contact between you and your work.  Perhaps this is why hand injuries are a leading cause of job related disabilities.  It’s very easy to forget that your hands need careful attention if they are to go on serving you as the powerful precision tools that they are now.

Know the Danger Zones

·         Handling or struck by sharp objects

·         Caught in rotating equipment

·         Energized systems - No LOCK OUT

·         Struck by or against objects

·         Caught in pinch points

·         Misuse of portable power tools

·         Contact with hot objects or material

·         Contact with caustic or corrosive material

·         Poor hygiene practices

·         Repetitive motion/poor equipment design

·         Improperly dressed wounds

·         Poor hand or body position

Protect Your Hands

·         Clean up with a rag or a brush – not your fingers or hands.

·         Protect your hands using a rag or a brush for cleaning.  It’s a good idea to wear gloves when your are cleaning to prevent injury.

·         Keep your hands clean.  Don’t ignore hand injuries.

·         Know the signs of dermatitis and other skin disorders.

·         Get prompt medical attention when required.  A minor injury can turn into a major one if you don’t attend to it right away.

·         Never wear gloves, jewelry, or loose clothing when working with moving machine parts.

·         Use the appropriate personal protective equipment -- gloves, guards, forearm cuffs, barrier creams -- for the specific task you are performing.

·         When wearing gloves, be sure they are rated for the specific task you are performing.

·         Select tools designed to keep wrists straight to help avoid repetitive motion/overuse problems.

Abrasive Cutting & Grinding

The following basic rules shall be observed when using abrasive wheel grinding machines:

Operation of a grinder is considered a hot work, thus appropriate work permit must be obtained before it is used in a restricted area.  Proper personal protective equipment shall be worn during grinding work, such as safety spectacles and face shields.

Do not wear gloves when using bench grinders as they can be caught between grinder and stopper.

Do not use any type of grinding machines unless you are familiar with the equipment.

A grinding machine shall not be operated without a protective guard.  Check the position of the guard and ensure it is tightly secured.

Do not operate the abrasive wheel in excess of its rated maximum speed.  Check that the abrasive wheel/disc speed is equal or in excess of the machine speed before operating.

SAFE OPERATION

Do not apply excessive pressure on the grinders when grinding

When using a portable grinder ensure that sparks are not directed towards other employees or combustibles.  Fire blankets shall be used to contain sparks.

Care shall be taken to avoid sudden impact or knocking of the wheel, as one of the great hazards with the abrasive wheels, is the disintegration of the wheel in service.

The side of the wheel must not be used for grinding unless the wheel is designed for the purpose and excessive pressure must not be applied.

Soft material for which the wheel  is not intended will clog a wheel, cause imbalance, hinder heat dissipation and may cause the wheel to disintegrate.

For bench grinders, the work rest must be secured and adjusted to a distance of not more than 1/8 of an inch.

Ensure that the power supply of the grinder is completely shut off before replacing the wheel or disc.  Flexing the hose to shut off the pneumatic grinders is an unsafe practice therefore not allowed.

 

• Remove - flammables.

• Secure - the work piece - never use your foot. 

• Keep - work at waist height - adopt comfortable stance.

• Keep - both hands on the grinder.

• Run - the grinder “up to speed”.

• Apply - minimal pressure on the wheel.

• Avoid - using excessive force.

• Fully - position the guard. 

• Position - the grinding wheel 15 to 30 degrees. 

• Take - frequent breaks.

• Never - put down an operating grinder. 

• Never- remove handle

• Don’t - drop grinders onto the ground.