Know your surroundings

According to the 2014 edition of the National Safety Council’s “Injury Facts,” contact with objects and equipment was responsible for 15.1 percent of workplace deaths by event or exposure in 2011. In that same year, it also was the second leading cause of cases with days away from work. These injuries can arise from falling objects or inadvertently being struck by a moving vehicle, such as a forklift or car.

To help prevent injuries from contact with objects or equipment:

• Keep all materials neatly stored.
• Ensure items that are stored at height are secure.
• Store heavy objects close to the floor.
• Open one filing cabinet drawer at a time to prevent a tip-over.
• Wear proper personal protective equipment for your environment, such as steel-toed footwear.
• Never obstruct your vision by overloading moving equipment.
• Only operate equipment you are properly trained to use.
• Ensure all safety devices on equipment are in good working order before use.
• Exercise extra caution when walking around corners and near doorways.