You’re a stranger in your own town when you’ve been away a long time or when you’re in an unfamiliar area. This is true on the job, too. You work in a certain area and when it’s necessary to go to another department, or another part of the building, you’re in strange territory. Not that you can’t find your way around, but it’s how you find your way around that might cause problems.
Let’s say you’re a machine operator and you’ve worked at your job for a considerable length of time. However, when you leave your machine, you’re no longer an operator – you’re a pedestrian.
Off the job, when you’re a pedestrian, you dodge automobiles and bicycles and watch for open utility holes. When you’re on the job, the list of potential dangers is different, but the necessary precautions are the same – you have to stay alert and keep your eyes open.
A walk through the plant should be rather uneventful, but the situation can change in a hurry if you don’t stay alert. This is particularly true for employees leaving their own areas or departments.
As a new employee, you were given instructions about your job and these instructions included safety precautions. However, when you go to another area, it can be a new ball game. Operations may be different, equipment may be different and, no doubt, safety precautions will vary too.
So, before entering another area, familiarize yourself with any special rules or procedures necessary for your safety. This might mean you will have to wear special personal protective equipment or observe certain regulations concerning your actions.
While traveling as a pedestrian, always use the regular routes. Walk – don’t run. Be on your guard at corners and when you’re near machinery, and watch for power trucks and hand trucks on the move. Although truck operators have their own safety rules to follow, which include watching for pedestrians, don’t take anything for granted. Be ready to move.
It’s a good habit to look both ways before stepping out into an aisle. Wherever there is floor space large enough for a truck, this type of traffic could be moving at you. Don’t try to beat an oncoming truck. You might misjudge its speed or slip and fall in front of it. Don’t walk while you’re looking in another direction – you could bump into another employee or a machine. If you can’t watch while you’re walking, stop until you can.
When using a stairway, take advantage of the handrails. Some people feel that handrails are just for the aged and handicapped. Well, you can become aged and handicapped fast if you fall down stairs.
Slipping and tripping hazards are additional things to watch for. Misplaced tools, pieces of metal, or other materials will send daydreamers sprawling, despite all efforts to keep floors and aisles clear of these dangers.
Another point I’d like to stress – don’t take shortcuts regardless of how tempting they are. There are good reasons why shortcuts are shortcuts and not regular approved routes. Most likely, these reasons are concerned with safety. Shortcut safety applies around conveyors too. Cross conveyors only by the bridges provided for the purpose or at passages.
A word of caution about loading docks and other elevations. Obviously, the quickest way to get to the floor from an elevator is to fall or jump. But, the safest way is to use appropriate ladders or steps.
At times, it’s necessary to restrict admittance to certain areas. The restrictions may be temporary or permanent, but whichever it is, don’t enter restricted areas unless authorized to do so. These areas will be posted.
I’ve tried to cover a few of the more important points of pedestrian safety, but people on the move are exposed to many types of conditions and circumstances. So, remember these basic precautions – stay alert – watch for moving equipment – keep your eyes open for slipping and tripping hazards – stay out of restricted areas – use handrails – and don’t jump off loading docks or from elevations.