While most engineering jobs are not considered to be dangerous, you will find that there are some that can be dangerous with many hazards. A few roles in the engineering industry that are health and safety concerns include mining engineer, chemical engineer, aerospace engineer, petroleum engineer and marine engineer. This article will look at some of the most common health and safety issues in engineering and how they can be addressed so that you can provide a safe work environment.
Slips, Trips & Falls
Slips, trips and falls are the most common health and safety hazard in engineering (and in other industries). Slips, trips and falls can occur from material spillages, uneven surfaces, messy worksites and wet floors that are not marked. While sometimes these accidents result in nothing more than a nasty shock, they can also be life-changing and fatal. Therefore, it is vital that you provide high-quality PPE to your engineering staff so that they can protect themselves. You should also ensure that spillages are cleaned up immediately and that wet floors are marked with a sign.
Vehicle-Related Injuries
In engineering projects, there are often vehicles onsite whether this is forklifts, cars or trucks. Unfortunately, vehicle-related injuries are common and can be very serious. This is why you need to make onsite rules clear, take care with site planning to keep pedestrians and vehicles at a safe distance and ensure that all vehicles are in good condition and only ever driven by those that are qualified.
Machinery Risks
Working with machinery is a key part of many engineering roles and there are lots of different types of machines that are used in an engineering environment. Some of these can be dangerous and lead to serious accidents. To prevent machinery accidents in the workplace, you need to provide proper staff training and provide PPE for your team. You must also perform regular maintenance on all machinery and get any problems taken care of instantly. Safety mechanisms must also be checked and tested on a regular basis.
Electrical Equipment
Many engineering tasks involve working with electricity. While most of the time this is totally safe, you will find that it can lead to fatalities and life-changing injuries when it goes wrong. Again, staff training, maintenance and PPE are key for preventing electrical injuries.
These are a few of the main health and safety issues that can be problematic in engineering. Many of these health and safety issues can change and even cost lives, so it is vital that they are addressed and you need to provide a safe work environment for your employees. The above information should help you to mitigate these risks, reduce the chance of an accident occurring and help your team to work with confidence each day.
