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704 Hazard Analysis and Control
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Safe Work Practices

Safe work practices may be quite specific or general in their applicability. They may be a very important part of a single job procedure or applicable to many jobs in the workplace.

Can you see the missing PPE?

General safe work practices: These are common to most workplace and include:

  • removing tripping, blocking, and slipping hazards
  • using safe lifting techniques
  • maintaining equipment and tools in good repair
  • using personal protective equipment (PPE)

Specific safe work practices: Other safe work practices apply to specific jobs in the workplace and involve specific procedures for accomplishing a job. Examples of specific safe work procedures include:

  • wetting down surfaces to keep toxic dust out of the air
  • testing the air quality within a confined space
  • placing chocks when parking a truck
  • placing forks on the ground when the forklift is parked

To develop safe procedures, you conduct a job hazard analysis (JHA). If, during the JHA, you determine that a procedure presents hazards to the worker, you would decide that a training program is needed. We recommend using the JHA as a tool for training your workers in the new procedures. A training program may be essential if your employees are working with highly toxic substances or in dangerous situations.

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

5-8. Which activity would be considered a specific safe work practice?