by Todd Hicks

Created on: December 28, 2008   Last Updated: July 08, 2011

Do you like to always avoid accidents and physical harm on the job? You will learn ways to focus on work safety and use common sense in the workplace.

Use caution while doing dangerous tasks. If you use something such as an electric saw, do not wear loose items such as ties, watches or jewelry. Roll up your sleeves. It is necessary to do this to prevent damage to your loose items and your person. If you weld, wear a mask and suit designed for welders. It is crucial to do this to prevent being blinded and injured from the sparks that are produced from welding. If you work with chemicals, acids or hot liquids, you should wear protective clothing.

Do you do yard work? If you do, wear thick rubber gloves while pulling weeds near thorny roses. When you mow the lawn, you should wear safety goggles or glasses to protect your eyes from cut grass and other flying debris. You should also wear ear protectors to prevent going deaf as a result of using a loud lawn mower.

Are you a paid driver? If so, you should always drive carefully. Drive the speed limit. Stop at all stop signs and red lights. Obey all traffic signs. Slow down in the presence of construction workers and bad weather conditions.

It is crucial to wear your seat belt in traffic because experts often say many of the people who have died or incurred a serious injury from a traffic accident would have stayed alive and walked away without much physical harm if they had worn their seat belts. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration provides statistics on the percentage of fatalities that involve not wearing a seat belt here.

If your job involves cooking, washing dishes or handling sharp objects, you must follow certain safety steps. Handle sharp objects with care. To prevent the risk of cutting yourself with a fork or sharp knife that is hard to see in dish water, keep forks and sharp knives on the counter while you run water in the sink. Do not run with sharp objects. Hold the sharp end of things such as scissors toward the floor as you carry them.

Do you eat foods that have bones or eat with fellow workers? To prevent choking, do not take big bites when you eat. If you see someone choking, put your arms around his or her waist and make a pulling motion with your fists clenched until the food is dislodged from the other person's throat. Perform this procedure on yourself if you start choking while you are alone.

If you work outdoors, be careful. Exercise caution when you are exposed to hot and cold temperatures. Drink plenty of water and sports drinks when it is hot. Do not exert yourself too much in hot weather. To avoid frostbite in freezing weather, wear gloves or mittens. Cover your nose and mouth with a scarf. Wear a scarf or ear muffs on your ears.

If you are an electrician or work in a technical field, take steps to avoid electrical shocks and fires. Do not stick your fingers or metal objects into electrical outlets. Keep electrical appliances away from water. Keep flammable materials away from light bulbs and heat. Empty the lint filter before you operate a clothes dryer. Do not smoke indoors.

Follow these steps to stay safe on the job!

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