No. 06 Apr. 99

1. Safety Alert No. 06 Apr. 99 Committed to Safety Reaching High • Background • An accident happened recently in an archive room at the MAF office. The archive room assistant was in a hurry to serve a customer. In order to reach a file from the top shelf he quickly grabbed a typist’s chair, with wheels, and climbed on it. • Next thing he remembers is waking up in the Hospital with a big lump on his head and a bruise on his back. The chair had rolled away from under him and in the fall he badly hurt himself. • Why did it happen ? • Using the wrong tool : a chair with wheels instead of a proper step-ladder for reaching high up. • Rushing a job without taking the time to think and act safely. • What can we learn from this ? • Always use the right tool for the job you have to do. • If the right tool is not readily available, don’t do the job, but do report to your supervisor. • Do not allow haste and hurry to come before safety. • Always think before starting any job, when in doubt please ask for assistance. • Identify and manage hazards, even in an office.