Safety Meeting

Given By_____________________

Topic #136

Date_________________

RIGHT AND LEFT TURNS

Have you checked lately on the manner in which you make turns? There is a right way to make turns in driving, with safety and without causing annoyance or danger to others. It is done by letting everyone know just when and where you intend to turnby signaling. 1. Get in position. Don't turn unless you can do it with reasonable safety. That means that you must look ahead, decide where you want to turn, and be in a position to turn when you get there. To get into the left lane, check your clearance and signal before changing lanes. This applies to intersections, traffic lanes, private roadways, driveways and passing cars. 2. Start the turn signal in advance. Give a continuous turn signal for a distance of at least 100 feet (200 feet on open highways). 3 Don't surprise. Slow down gradually but don't stop or decrease speed suddenly without giving an appropriate signal, unless there's an emergency. 4 Yield right of way. When you're in the intersection about to make a left turn, you should yield the right of way to any approaching vehicle or pedestrian in the intersection or close enough to be a hazard. Then make your turn into the proper lane. 5 Drivers waiting in the intersection for traffic to clear should keep front wheels aimed straight ahead. If wheels are turned to the left, for the expected turn, a bump from the rear could force your car into the patch of oncoming traffic. U-turns are prohibited in many areas by city ordinance, and no signs are required to warn drivers. So it usually pays to avoid U-turns whenever possible. There are three things a driver must always remember to do before turning, changing lanes, or pulling into traffic from a parallel parked position: l. 2 3. Determine whether it can be done safely. If not safe, don't do it. Give proper signal at the proper time. Check your blind spots

Many drivers have sought to use turn signals in ways that are forbidden by law. One "no-no" is flashing turn signals as a courtesy or "do pass" signal to following drivers. This practice can encourage following drivers to take undue risks in passing. It is also illegal to flash one turn signal on a parked or disabled car. It is proper, however, to activate your warning flashers to indicate a possible hazard on the road. May all your turns be right ones! Prepared by: Justin Robinson

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Safety Meeting
Given By_____________________

Topic #137

Date_________________

PREVENT VEHICLE FIRES Motor vehicle fires can be more terrifying than a serious collision. Although the frequency of vehicle fires is quite low, when one does occur, the severity is sky high. Some causes of vehicle fires are smoking, dragging brakes, overheated tires and faulty wiring and exhaust systems. We must be just as careful, if not more so, in our vehicles as we are in our homes. As you know, smoking is prohibited when you are transporting hazardous materials. However, it is also a good idea to refrain from smoking when driving. If you must smoke, be extra careful when disposing of ashes, matches and butts. The best place to end your smoke is in an ashtray. Discarded butts or ashes often blow back into the vehicle, starting a fire. Another safeguard against vehicle fires is regular maintenance of braking system. If the vehicle does not coast freely, the brakes may be dragging and initiate a fire. Have a qualified mechanic check your vehicle to assure proper adjustment of the brakes and wheel bearings. Did you know that a small pinhole in your exhaust system can be a dangerous fire hazard? The hot gases act as an ignition source and can combine with accumulated grease and oil, developing into a major fire. Again, constant maintenance is an absolute must to prevent a vehicle fire. It's a good idea to have your wiring checked every time you have your vehicles motor oil changed. It only takes a few minutes to make sure that this fire source remains under control. Another major cause of vehicle fires is overheated tires. Under-inflation is a principle source of tire fires. Under-inflation causes the casing of the tire to continually bend and flex, and, like a piece of metal bent back and forth, the tire becomes hotter and hotter until a fire breaks out. Don't let a vehicle fire put you down. Vehicle fires can start anywhere when conditions are right. Keep your vehicle clean, well maintained and avoid smoking or at least careless smoking.

Prepared by: Justin Robinson

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Safety Meeting
Given By_____________________

Topic #76

Date_________________

SHORTCUTS ARE KILLERS

Most of us have the necessary skills and knowledge to do our jobs well, and most of us don't want to hurt ourselves or anyone else. Why then do we take 'shortcuts,' setting up ourselves and others for injury? The following is a list of things we often do, even though we know we shouldn't! 1. You can't fool safety devices - but we remove or wedge back safety guards so they won't protect us! 2. We shouldn't take a chance when operating heavy equipment - but we don't use the seat belt that is provided! 3. We know that flames or sparks are not permitted around flammable liquids - but some of us smoke around them! 4. A protruding nail in a guard rail can cause an injury - but we don't bother to remove it or bend it over. 5. Horseplay causes a lot of injuries on the job - but many of us continue to play practical jokes. 6. A circular saw can amputate a finger - but we insist on using the saw without a guard! 7. We know the safe way to climb a ladder - but we climb it with one hand full of tools! 8. We should wear our personal protective equipment - but we leave our goggles strapped up on our hard hats! 9. We know better than to use chemicals without reading the MSDS - but we use the chemical anyway! 10. We should wear a life jacket when working over water - but we go out over the water without one! 11. A bump or bruise to the head ran realty hurt - but we continue to work without our hard hats. 12. It's dangerous to block fire fighting equipment - but we stack boxes of material in front of fire extinguishers! 13. We know not to work within 10 feet of a power line - but there's just one more load of steel to be unloaded and it won't happen to me! This is a short list, you can probably think of a lot more because we all, at one time or another, have been guilty of taking shortcuts. Usually it's because we are attempting to save some time. Occasionally someone comes up with an idea that works, and is a time-saver. That's great, as long as safety is not sacrificed. Your life and your health are too important to risk by taking stupid chances, and that is exactly what 999 out of 1000 shortcuts are - stupid! Get smart - think safety first - always! Don't take Shortcuts! If you're injured, the minute you saved may cost you days, weeks, or months of recovery time.

Prepared by: Justin Robinson

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Safety Meeting
Given By_____________________
SUBSTANCE ABUSE

Topic #78

Date_________________

Not all job performance problems involve drug use, but recent studies show that the rising number of employees using drugs inevitably produces increased performance problems. Some of the signals that may indicate abuse affecting safety at the work place include: Attendance problems - including chronic absenteeism, tardiness, and excessive use of sick leave Unsatisfactory performance or productivity shown - for example, poor quality work and increase errors and waste. Emotional and physical symptoms - such as withdrawal, depression, confusion, loss of concentration, hand tremors, or an unsteady gait. Evidence of illegal substance use - possession, sale, or delivery, including paraphernalia such as needles, foil wrappers, pipes, etc. Accidents, near misses, or equipment breakdowns - that may be the result of human error or violations of established operating procedures. Fighting - involving physical contact, assaults, and erratic or violent behavior. Drugs and the workplace just don't mix. Any of the above can cause an employee to take a chance and we all know what can happen then. Accidents and injuries take a toll on all of us. A drug free work place is a safer place. You have enough work related problems and activities to worry about without adding a concern for someone who does not have it all together. Alcohol is a drug too, and even though it is not illegal in society, it has no place on the job. Lack of coordination and poor judgment will make you accident prone. Approximately 23,000 people are killed in alcohol related highway accidents each year. Don't drink on your way to or from the job. You'll place yourself and others in harms way. We want to keep you alive and well. Each of us wants to work in a safe environment. Drug and alcohol use on the job is just not a smart thing to do. Make sure you do your part. Say no to both alcohol and drugs. Your life may depend on it! DRINKING AND DRIVING IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS! IF YOU DO DRINK, DON'T DRIVE!

Prepared by: Justin Robinson

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