ACCIDENT PREVENTION

Accident Prevention


Information obtained from an accident investigation is used to help prevent future accidents from happening. Accident prevention is also accomplished by conducting work safety inspections, reporting unsafe conditions, providing training and performing regular "check ups" on equipment and tools.

Accident Investigation
An accident investigation determines how and why accidents occur. The investigation will lead to the cause(s) of the accident. By eliminating one or more causes, most accidents are preventable.

What Can You Do to Prevent Accidents?



Report Any Unsafe or Potentially Hazardous Conditions to: a. Your supervisor/boss

b. Your Environmental Health and Safety Office c. Or, take care of it yourself, it could be as easy as closing a file cabinet drawer so no one trips over it, keeping your work area clean, labeling hazards in the workplace etc.

Make Sure the Equipment, Tools or Machines You Use Are:

a. In good working order b. Have machine guards in place c. Are certified or maintained on a regular basis d. Used properly and safely by yourself and others

Wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) . a. Know what type of PPE to wear, for example, you need to know the proper type of glove for the work you do and the materials you work with. b. Know the proper way to wear your PPE for maximum protection.

c. Know how to take care of your PPE and perform regular inspections to check for holes in gloves or protective clothing, tears in respirators, chemical saturation etc. If your job requires you to wear a respirator for protection, you need to be fit tested annually to ensure proper fit and protection.

Attend Annual Safety Training



The Environmental Health and Safety Office provides annual safety training

a.Office Staff b. Laboratory Staff c. Clinical Staff

Use Caution When Your Work Environment Changes:

Just like you know you should use more caution when you are driving in the rain, you should use more caution when your work environment changes as well. Beating deadlines, lack of sleep, being required to do something new with little or no training etc. All these factors can lead to an accident because of carelessness, lack of training/knowledge or rushing to get something done. Weve all been there

Training, awareness and competence

The organization shall establish and maintain procedures to ensure that its employees working at each relevant function and level are aware of :  The importance of conformance to the OH&S policy and procedures, and to the requirements of the OH&S management system  Their roles and responsibilities in achieving conformance to the OH&S policy and procedures and to the requirements of the OH&S management system, including emergency preparedness.  The potential consequences of departure from specified operating procedures.

Emergency preparedness and response

The organization shall establish and maintain plans and procedures to identify the potential for, and responses to, incidents and emergency situations, and for preventing and mitigating the likely illness and injury that may be associated with them.

Accidents, incidents, nonnonconformances and corrective and preventive action

The organization shall establish and maintain procedures for defining responsibility and authority for:  Handling and investigation of:
Accidents Incident Non Non-conformances