Safety in the workplace is vital, but not all workplaces are automatically safe places. Metalworking is one profession that has hazards inherent in day-to-day work. However, this does not mean that metalworking should result in injuries, as there are a number of measures that can be taken to handle metalwork safely.
Well-Maintained Machinery
Poorly made or faulty equipment can cause considerable hazards when working with metal. Make sure you purchase equipment from a reliable supplier. For example, if you need tapping machines, use a reputable specialist such as www.cotswold-machinery-sales.co.uk/.
Even the best-made machinery can develop faults, so carry out regular maintenance checks on your equipment, keeping faulty machinery out of action until it is repaired.
Training
No matter how good the condition of the machinery, it can be dangerous in the wrong hands. Make sure that anyone who needs to operate the machinery has had sufficient training and restrict access to authorised personnel only.
PPE
The machinery, high temperatures, and other hazards mean that high-quality personal protective equipment, or PPE, is essential. This should be readily available to anyone working with or in the vicinity of metalworking.
Eye protection is needed for a number of reasons. Goggles are necessary to protect the eyes from metal debris that could potentially cause blindness. Also, when welding, the metal becomes very bright, so make sure you have goggles that can protect eyesight against that as well, or provide a welder’s helmet.
Some metals can contaminate the air. If these metals are used in your workplace, provide your workers with respirators or masks to prevent them from inhaling dangerous particles. You should also make sure that any space where these metals are worked is well-ventilated.
Both the tools required and the metal itself can have sharp edges, so provide heavy-duty gloves to prevent serious cuts to the hands. The metal can also get very hot, both when it is worked or if simply exposed to bright sunlight, so make sure the gloves also provide powerful thermal protection.
Make sure your PPE is in a good state of repair and replace it when necessary.
