Proper Clothing


                       A SAFETY TALK FOR

                      DISCUSSION LEADERS



This safety talk is designed for discussion leaders to use in preparing safety

meetings.



Set a specific time and date for your safety meeting.  Publicize your meeting

so everyone involved will be sure to attend.



Review this safety talk before the meeting and become familiar with its

content. Make notes about the points made in this talk that pertain to your

workplace.  You should be able to present the material in your own words and

lead the discussion without reading it.



Seating space is not absolutely necessary, but arrangements should be made so

that those attending can easily see and hear the presentation.



Collect whatever materials and props you will need ahead of time.  Try to use

equipment in your workplace to demonstrate your points.





                      DURING THE MEETING



Give the safety talk in your own words.  Use the printed talk merely as a

guide.



The purpose of a safety meeting is to initiate discussion of safety problems

and provide solutions to those problems.  Encourage employees to discuss

hazards or potential hazards the encounter on the job. Ask them to suggest ways

to improve safety in their area.



Don't let the meeting turn into a gripe session about unrelated topics.  As

discussion leader, its your job to make sure the topic is safety.  Discussing

other topics wastes time and can ruin the effectiveness of your safety meeting.



At the end of the meeting, ask employees to sign a sheet on the back of this

talk as a record that they attended the safety meeting.  Keep this talk on file

for your records.





Proper Clothing



Unless your job is confined to a highly specialized or unique field, the

question of what to wear to work generally boils down to what is warm enough in

cold weather and cool enough in warm weather.



Nothing is wrong with that except that many people do not realize what a close

relationship there can be between safety and wearing the right kind of

clothing.



Let's see:



Starting at the bottom--it would be foolish for construction workers to think

they could wear regular street shoes and remain unharmed for very long; these

workers climb up and down ladders, step on and into piles of building material

debris, mount and dismount scaffolds, and ascend and descend rough stairwells,

just to name a few of the hazards.



These persons need heavy-duty, rubber-grip-sole shoes, whether working inside

or outside.



Inside, the floors can be slippery from oil, grease and other residue.



Outside, the terrain that construction people have to work on can be hazardous.



If a heavy piece of equipment, heavy scaffold plank or other material should

drop on a person's foot who is wearing everyday street shoes, the damage would

be considerable.



Next we come to pants or trousers. Never wear trousers with cuffs, because it's

easy to get snagged or hung up, and have an accident.



Pants should be comfortable to the body and legs, and heavy enough to afford

protection from small flying objects and weather.



Shirts, like trousers, should be of good material, heavy enough to protect the

part of the body it covers from weather and flying debris. Pockets should

button down.  If they do not, they can be as dangerous as trousers with cuffs.

The tails should be long so they stay in the trousers, thereby affording

protection to the back as well.  It is also suggested that an undershirt be

worn to absorb perspiration and help prevent the body from becoming chilled.



For outdoor work in cold weather, you might also wish to wear something over

your shirt. This should consist of a form-fitting jacket, sweater, or whatever

is preferred, but should not be tight or uncomfortable. It should not have

floppy sleeves, belts or pockets that could snag or get caught, and should have

a zipper because button types snag easier. It should be light and not too long.

Remember, all types of thermal clothing are available. They are lightweight and

very comfortable to work in, allowing a person to be freewheeling and not

encumbered by several layers of heavy wool or other types of clothing.



If you overdress for your job, this may restrict necessary movement. But if you

underdress, you may be uncomfortable from the weather. Always dress for

comfort and safety.

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