Backing Into Danger

When we are walking from one place to another on the job, especially when handling material, we are exposed to many dangers. Ponder about the following situations and see if you have ever been in a related position:

A worker was inside a truck removing empty drums on top of the truck's elevator tail gate and lowering it. Another worker was removing the drums and sending the elevator tail gate back up. The worker inside the vehicle had his back to the tail gate as he dragged the next drum towards the tail gate - which he assumed was even with the bed of the truck. As he shifted the drum into place and stepped onto what was now open space, he fell off the truck onto the lowered gate. Following him down was the drum he was moving and he suffered additional injuries.

Two mistakes in judgment caught up with the injured party. First, he THOUGHT that the tail gate had been returned to a safe position. And in spite of the fact that he was moving a heavy, huge item, he did not check to make certain of his safe positioning. Second, he was working in a risky manner: He moved backwards with a heavy item. There is always the risk that the load might get out of control and cause an injury. A load ought to always be in front so you could see where you are going, and so you will be in the clear if the load gets away from you.

In another incident, a worker was walking backwards giving directions to vehicle into an aisle-way inside a warehouse. He did not see an object on the lower rack sticking out into the passageway. He backed into and fell over the stick out object. The vehicle continued to back up and jammed him against the rack before it could be stopped. A cut on the leg and a seriously bruised elbow was his prize for this unsafe act.

The worker was not looking where he was going. Making issues worse was an unsafe condition of an object protruding into an aisle-way.

When you are on foot, it is always risky to move backwards, especially when handling materials. It is faster and safer to move in a forward direction. Avoid moving backwards whenever you can. If you need to move in a backward direction, check your pathway before you move and as frequently as possible while moving.

WATCH OUT AND STAY SAFE!!!