If you are a do-it-yourselfer working in a potentially hazardous condition, your chief concern is to keep out of harm's way. You can choose not to work under such condition, but more often than not, you yourself bring about that kind of condition. If you do things yourself, you're probably aware of the relation between safety and common sense. As an example, your common sense dictates never to step on the topmost rung of a ladder or that you always wear some eye protection while working with power tools that throw off sparks or splinters. We don't have to belabor the obvious. Safety at work Some people are pretty much aware of the risk of working around dangerous machineries. Some, for instance, grew up in the midst of farming equipment or worked for a long time in a sawmill. These people have learned that machineries have no regards for human flesh, so humans have to respect machines. Some do-it-yourselfers have run into accidents because they chose to ignore the machinery's capacity to injure. Lack of respect for machines, including power tools and vehicles, stem from ignorance of workplace safety and fatigue. A basic knowledge of safety in the workplace can save a lot of people using machines from incapacitating injuries. Do-it-yourselfers and inexperienced workers need to be educated on the more dangerous tools so they don't become accident statistics. Experienced workers who have been around power tools, heavy equipment and other dangerous machineries have learned to value them from day one. And all these years, they still have all their fingers and limbs intact to prove it. Fatigue - prelude to danger Now, fatigue is what's really emphasized here. Knowledge in the safe handling of tools and machines is a given, but fatigue is often overlooked as a prelude to danger. If you work as an electric company lineman, you are probably aware that your safety risks involve heights and electrical current. Education and experience have taught you to be concerned about them but as your level of fatigue increases, regards for caution and personal safety take a back seat. When you succumb to fatigue, the possibility of getting sloppy and careless increases. Workers in construction yards, assembly plants, metal works and utility companies know the kinds of danger that is caused by fatigue. Even do-it-yourselfers who feel exhaustion setting in hurriedly struggle to finish their work at hand, and sometimes get hurt in the process. Fighting fatigue Although it is a sign to take it slow and easy, the onset of fatigue can be delayed through several ways: - Get the right amount of sleep at night. - There are foods that can induce drowsiness. Learn about the foods that help you stay alert. - Avoid excess heat. Dress in loose clothing that let sweat evaporate easily. Wear light-colored clothes to deflect some of the heat absorbed by your body. - When you feel drowsy, stop operating any machinery and splash cold water on your face to make you feel alert. - Drink a lot of water to cool down your body's core temperature and prevent dehydration. Most importantly, fatigue can affect eye-hand coordination. It can also affect your decisions. Stop whatever you're doing and give your body a chance to recover. It is important to be on the safe side because accidents are painful, costly, and sometimes fatal. Accidents, however, can also be prevented with enough presence of mind. Dekorbeton make decorative concrete products that create deep wall textures such as natural stone or brick look giving you a cheap and effective home improvement. For your garden try Rock Dust to boost soil fertility, improving plant health and vigour.
Related Articles -
DIY, Home Improvement,
|