Training
Even the most elaborate machine safeguarding system cannot offer effective protection unless the worker knows how to use it and why. Specific and detailed training is therefore a crucial part of any effort to provide machine safeguarding against machine-related hazards. On-the-Job training (OJT) is the most effective how-to training method for training machine guard safety.
When workers get injured from exposure to moving parts, a high percentage end up fatalities. It's important to make the training serious and "memorable." Thorough operator training should involve instruction or hands-on training in the following:
- a description and identification of the hazards associated with particular machines;
- the machine guards themselves, how they provide protection from specific hazards;
- how to install, inspect, use, and maintain machine guards;
- how and under what circumstances machine guards can be removed, and by whom (in most cases, repair or maintenance personnel only);
- what to do (e.g., contact the supervisor) if a machine guard is damaged, missing, or unable to provide adequate protection; and
- the serious and fatal consequences of failure to use safe work practices when working around moving parts.
This kind of safety training is necessary for new operators and maintenance or setup personnel, when any new or altered machine guards are put in service, or when workers are assigned to a new machine or operation.
How to Get the Point Across
To get the point across and make the training memorable, you should emphasize the serious or fatal consequences of failure to follow safe work practices. Here's a couple of ideas:
- A graphic video about a fatal accident can be quite effective in getting the message across to employees. When employees are affected emotionally by an experience in training, they will more likely remember the message.
- A story of an actual accident, how it happened, and what would have prevented it, can also be very effective. Here is an example below:
A paper mill employee was killed after he became entangled in a rotating shaft at the company's paper mill. The worker, employed at the company for less than two weeks, was buffing the shaft when his clothing got caught on the rotating bolt heads of the shaft. (see image above.)
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1-9. What is the most effective way of "getting the point across" in safety training?
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