A work order for annual maintenance on the
vacuum pump became due and a company had been arranged to come in to perform
the work prior to the due date. The employees
reported on June 17th to perform the work.
They were escorted to the lab and shown the location of the equipment
and then left to perform the work. The
pumps were located on a table by the wall, situated horizontally to the
employee. The front pump required
maintenance. The employee moved
surrounding equipment/tables that he knew could be moved safety away to allow
area to work. He performed the
maintenance on the pump and was returning it back with his non-dominate hand
when he felt a pop in his elbow and felt severe pain.
Factors to consider
at your site or on your project include, but are not limited to, the following:
1.
Vacuum pumps were rearranged to sit
vertically to the employee instead of horizontally for easier access.
2. If
conditions aren’t safe for work, let employees know that work is to be stopped
so that conditions can be made safe.
3. 1.
Pre-plan the work with everyone
involved to provide a safe work environment to accommodate the tasks that need
to be performed.
Consider this example
as you complete today’s work activities.
Think about the hazards
associated with your particular
work, and the steps that can be taken to increase safety on your job.