DEFINITION OF ACCIDENTS

Accident An accident is an event or series of event which are unforeseen and which may or may not cause injury to a person or damage to the property involved.

An accident is an unintentionally-caused event. In most cases, the term is used specifically in reference to unintentionally-caused negative events.

Accidents which take place in the workplace are referred to as occupational accidents. Workplace accidents include events that damage property, inhibit a particular workplace function, or cause harm to a person located in the workplace.

Occupational accidents are also referred to as work-related accidents, and the personal harm they cause may be referred to as an “occupational injury,” “occupational death,” or other label which specifies that the cause of the harm was occupational in nature.

There is no universal criteria for what is and is-not considered to be an occupational accident.

CAUSES OF WORKSHOP ACCIDENTS

1) Overexertion and tiredness

Most types of physical activity will become tiring if they are carried out over a long period of time. Accidents relating to physical exertion, such as lifting, bending, pulling, pushing and kneeling are incredibly common, particularly if employees do not take regular breaks.

However, even jobs that do not require individuals to lift heavy loads can also pose a risk. Regularly lifting lighter loads, such as files and boxes, can be detrimental to a person’s health if proper lifting techniques are not practised.

2) Slips, trips and falls

According to the Health and Safety Executive, an average of two employees die every year as a result of a slip, trip or fall on the same level. This figure increases considerably when taking into account falls from height and other types of related incidents. However, slips, trips and falls are some of the easiest workplace accidents to avoid.

Very often, negligent employees leave file drawers open or fail to use the proper equipment when reaching for items, which as a result, puts lives at risk. Loose electrical cords and wires can also pose a significant risk in the workplace.

It is vital that all employees are aware of any spills, wet floors or slippery surfaces when walking around the workplace, while also taking steps to prevent them.

3) Distractions

It is an unfortunate reality that distractions play a significant role in a worker’s day-to-day safety. If a person is carrying out the same task for a long period of time, boredom can cloud their judgement.

Accidents regularly occur when employees are distracted, for instance, tripping over clutter or walking into things when using their mobile phone. This can be avoided by allowing employees to take regular breaks and enjoy a change of scenery throughout the day, ensuring they go back to their jobs refreshed and able to concentrate.

4) Messy work environments

Client-facing businesses are often better at keeping their workplace tidy, compared to those that do not regularly have visitors. Housekeeping is generally a good indicator of a company’s attitude towards safety and quality, which means it is particularly important for all companies to ensure their environments are tidy.

Poor housekeeping has the potential to create a considerable number of hazards, which can lead to accidents. On the other hand, a well-maintained workplace sets a good example and promotes a healthier working environment for everyone.

5) Cutting corners

It can often be tempting to take shortcuts in order to get jobs done faster; however, doing so can lead to a whole host of hazards. Cutting corners in a way that reduces safety will undoubtedly increase the risk of injury.

For this reason, members of management should roll out proper procedures for all tasks on a regular basis to ensure that members of staff are fully aware of the risks associated with shortcuts.

TYPES OF WORKSHOP ACCIDENTS

Although many workplace accidents have relatively minor repercussions, which could result in just a paper cut or scratch, others can have more serious – and potentially fatal – consequences.

For instance, there are some industries in which individuals are more exposed to occupational hazards than others, such as the construction trade. This had the highest rate of fatal injuries out of all other industry sections in 2011/12. During this period, falls accounted for 51% of construction injuries resulting in death, demonstrating that builders are more likely to fall from height than those who work in less dangerous locations, such as an office.

An independent watchdog – the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) – aims to reduce the number of work-related fatalities and injuries within Great Britain, publishing statistics that show the different – and most common – types of reported workplace injuries across a range of sectors.

For example, the HSE reported that, between 2011 and 2012, incidents such as falls from height, becoming trapped by a falling structure, and being struck by a vehicle or moving object, were the reasons for the majority of fatalities to British workers.

It was also revealed that slips, trips or falls were responsible for more than 50% of serious injuries to employees. Furthermore, the majority of incidents that resulted in employees taking more than three days off work – or affected their ability to perform their usual duties over this period – were caused by handling accidents.

Although some accidents at work can have minor effects, the HSE statistics revealed that more than 27 million working days were lost between 2011 and 2012 due to occupational illness or personal injury, proving that these incidents can have serious repercussions. There are online guides that provide information on how to deal with an injury at work.

BENEFITS OF PREVENTION OF MECHANICAL WORKSHOP ACCIDENTS

According to the Health and Safety Executive, employers who implement suitable measures to prevent accidents in the workplace could reap a number of benefits. As well as reducing the number of injuries at work, managers could also:

• Be less likely to suffer legal action
• Acquire a better reputation amongst partners, investors, customers and suppliers
• Have employees who feel more motivated, demonstrating greater productivity
• Reduce costs
• Have reduced employee turnover and absence rates. It has been reported that over 2,000,000 working days each year are lost due to handling accidents and slips and trips alone. In Argentina, the work accident rate in the year 2018 decreased 10% from the previous year.

PREVENTION OF ACCIDENT IN MECHANICAL WORKSHOP

Know the Hazards

• Be aware of surroundings.  Look around and identify workplace hazards that could cause harm.
• Look for ways to reduce or eliminate hazards, and implement them.
• Report unsafe areas or practices.
• Dress for the weather.
• Use the EHS Job Hazard Analysis tools to identify hazards associated with job types.

Create a Safe Work Area

• Keep an orderly workplace.  Poor housekeeping can cause serious health and safety hazards. The layout of the workplace should have adequate egress routes and be free of debris.
• Inspect vehicles before and after use. DRIVE SAFELY.
• Continually cultivate a safety standard.
• Take breaks and move around regularly throughout the day. Small breaks (standing up and moving around) can make a big difference in combating the dangers of staying in a static position all day long.
• Pay attention to workstation ergonomics.

Use Safe Lifting Techniques

• Follow the following safe lifting practices:
  • Lift from a position of power
  • Keep the load close
  • Use a staggered stance
  • Don’t twist while lifting
• Training in body mechanics can reduce strain injuries and keep employees safe during lifting and moving.

Personal Protective Equipment

• The proper use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) can dramatically reduce the risk of injury. Examples of PPE include gear such as earplugs, hard hats, safety goggles, gloves, air-purifying respirators and safety shoes.

Regular Communication

• Notify supervisors about safety hazards.
• Speak up and be involved in safety planning.
• Continually cultivate a safety standard.

Education and Training

• Ensure everyone has the proper safety training relating to the hazards of the job.
• Take advantage of Environmental Health and Safety online training programs.

It is each employee’s responsibility to take an active role in maintaining safe

CONCLUSION

Accidents do not just happen, they are caused. As per J. Donald, Kirpatrick the “accidents are usually the result of a combination of factors, each one of which may vary from situation to situation.” Their combination may be of unsafe work acts, and unsafe work environment or both. According to safety experts, there are three basic causes/factors that contribute to accidents in organisations. They are chance occurrences, unsafe conditions and unsafe acts on the part of employees.

RECOMMENDATIONS

1. One should not leave the machine ON even after the power is OFF and until it has  stopped running completely.
2. Operator should not talk to other industrial persons when he is operat ing a machine.
3. One should not clean, adjust or repair any machine while it is running.
4. One should not clean, adjust or repair any machine while it is running.
5. One should not operate any machine unless authorized to do so by authorize person.
6. Always check that work and tools on machine are clamped securely before starting.
7. The floor should be kept clean and clear of metal chips or curls and waste pieces.
8. Defective guards must be replaced or repaired immediately.
9. One should not operate any machinery when the instructor is not in the shop.
10. One should not try to stop the machine with hands or body.
11. Always follow safe lifting practices
12. Always keep your body and clothes away from moving machine parts

 

REFERENCES

“Protocol of 2002 to the Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981”. ilo.org.

“Elinyae Eongress 2010” (PDF). www.elinyaecongress2010.gr.

“Tools and publications – Safety and health at work – EU-OSHA”. osha.europa.eu.

“Health and safety statistics for the construction sector in Great Britain, 2017” (PDF). www.hse.gov.uk. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 August 2018.

“Kinds of accident”. www.hse.gov.uk. Archived from the original on 25 March 2016.

“Injury at Work Guide”. Aston Knight Solicitors. 2019-05-09. Retrieved 2019-05-09.