Topic #107

Safety Meeting

Given By_____________________ Date_________________

CONTROLLING STRESS

Many of us are faced with it everyday, but we might not know how to deal with it. It is important to learn how to handle stress
because it can affect our performance and relationships in our work and home. At work, stress can lead to distraction and cause
an unfortunate accident. At home, stress can put a strain on family relationships.

Stress usually occurs when there are changes in our lives and we feel that we don't have enough resources to deal with those
changes and demands. Which of the following do you think causes stress: getting married, winning the lottery, or having an
argument? It is all of them. Stress can occur not only from negative life experiences, but also from positive ones. People react
and deal with stress differently, but common stress symptoms include upset stomach, fatigue, tight neck muscles, irritability
and headaches. Some people react to stress by eating or drinking too much, losing sleep or smoking cigarettes. Stress may also
make you more susceptible to illnesses, including the common cold, ulcers, and some cancers.

The first step to managing stress is to identify your "stressors"; those things that are making you react. Stressors may not only
be events that cause you to feel sad, frightened, anxious or happy. You can cause stress through your thoughts, feelings and
expectations. Look at the list below. Which cause you stress? Can you think of other stressors?

• Not enough time

• Unexpected change
• Family problems
• Extra responsibility
• Personality clashes
• Money difficulties

Everyone has to deal with life's problems. A key to dealing with the big and little everyday stressors is coping with stress in a
positive way.

1. Acceptance- Many of us worry about things we have no control over. For example, a family illness, great deal of change at
work, or finding out that your basketball team lost. One way to manage stress is to accept when things are beyond your control.
It may be helpful to think positive thoughts such as, "Someday I'll laugh about this," or "It's a learning experience."

2. Attitude- Try to focus on the positive side of situations. Ask yourself, "What good can come out of this?" "What can I learn
from this situation?" and "How can I handle this better when it comes up again?" Solutions come easier when you focus on the
positive and your stress level will be reduced.

3. Perspective- We often worry about things that never happen. Keep things in perspective by asking yourself, "How important
is this situation? Can I do anything about it?, In five years, will I even remember it happened?"

Think about the situations in your life that cause you stress. Are they important or unimportant? Are they controllable or
uncontrollable? If they are controllable events, you can take action to change the situation; if they are uncontrollable, you can
use your skills in acceptance, attitude and perspective to reduce the stress.

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Justin Robinson Toolboxtopics.com
 Topic #108
Safety Meeting

Given By_____________________ Date_________________

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS OF GOOD SAFETY HABITS

In most everything we do, we find a "trick" to make the process easier and faster. After we develop these tricks,
they become work habits in our everyday activities. Developing everyday safety habits can keep you injury free
through the year. Here are ten safety habits to live by:

1. Set Your Own Standards. Don't be influenced by others around you who are negative. If you fail to wear
safety glasses because others don't, remember the blindness you may suffer will be yours alone to live with.
2. Operate Equipment Only if Qualified. Your supervisor may not realize you have never done the job before.
You have the responsibility to let your supervisor know, so the necessary training can be provided.
3. Respect Machinery. If you put something in a machine's way, it will crush it, pinch it or cut it. Make sure
all guards are in place. Never hurry beyond your ability to think and act safely. Remember to de-energize
the power first before placing your hands in a point of operation.
4. Use Your Own Initiative for Safety Protection. You are in the best position to see problems when they arise.
Ask for the personal protective equipment or additional guidance you need.
5. Ask Questions. If you are uncertain, ask. Do not accept answers that contain, "I think, I assume, I guess."
Be sure.
6. Use Care and Caution When Lifting. Most muscle and spinal injuries are from overstrain. Know your
limits. Do not attempt to exceed them. The few minutes it takes to get help will prevent weeks of being off
work and in pain.
7. Practice Good Housekeeping. Disorganized work areas are the breeding grounds for accidents. You may
not be the only victim. Don't be a cause.
8. Wear Proper and Sensible Work Clothes. Wear sturdy and appropriate footwear. These should enclose the
foot fully. Avoid 1oose clothing, dangling jewelry, and be sure that long hair is tied back and cannot
become entangled in the machinery.
9. Practice Good Personal Cleanliness. Avoid touching eyes, face, and mouth with gloves or hands that are
dirty. Wash well and use barrier creams when necessary. Most industrial rashes are the result of poor
hygiene practices.
10. Be a Positive Part of the Safety Team. Willingly accept and follow safety rules. Encourage others to do so.
Your attitude can play a major role in the prevention of accidents and injuries.

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Justin Robinson Toolboxtopics.com
 Topic #109
Safety Meeting

Given By_____________________ Date_________________

BACKING PROBLEMS

While backing is to be avoided whenever possible, every driver must make some backups on nearly every trip. And you know how to back,
as demonstrated when getting a license, but how often do you forget some basics?

The first thing is that all backing must be done slowly. Skillful drivers can perform the backing maneuver time after time with the greatest of
ease, but you'll never see a good driver back at high speed.

In order to be rated competent, every driver must be able to control the progress of the vehicle all the time—every time the vehicle is in
motion. This skill is easily demonstrated in forward movement. Since this is the way you go most of the time, the driver's seat is placed up
front.

When moving in reverse, the driver is still up front, and he can't see so well behind. In addition steering wheels are no longer the lead wheels,
and control of direction is awkward. Concentrate on the fact that in reverse movement controls are reversed, and response to steering is
sluggish.

Before reversing, get a clear view of the spot into which you must back. If it's a normal, familiar backing situation with good clearances, back
in as long as you can see the backing path clearly in the rearview mirrors.

If the place is strange, or if there is any question about clearances, the good driver will get out of the vehicle and survey the place that must
be backed into. Note any obstructions, low-hanging wires or signs, or fire escapes. Clearances must be wide enough and high enough.

The expert will drive as close as possible before starting to backup, make the turn on the driver's side, if possible, so that you can see the back
of the vehicle swinging into position. At all times be sure to watch clearances on both sides through his rearview mirrors. When within a few
feet of your stop, lean out and look directly behind the vehicle until the backup is completed.

Many good drivers make use another person to direct their backing maneuver. Standing at the rear where the guide can be seen either
directly, or through mirrors by the driver, the guide gives positive signals for steering, slowing and stopping.

Experts know that hard bumps mark the poor driver, so they take no chances on a bang-up finish.

Above all, approach every backing maneuver with caution, and a soft touch on the gas pedal. Too much speed in backing can ruin a driver's
day.

Good drivers who must go into a dead-end alley or driveway where there's no turnaround usually will back in from the street, so as to avoid
the necessity of backing out into traffic. If necessary to back into the street, they will get someone to flag down traffic or to signal when the
way is clear.

Drivers in residential neighborhoods should never start backing out of a parking space without first walking around to make sure there's
nothing in the way. There have been too many cases of children stopping to play behind a parked vehicle, only to be crushed when a driver
backed up without looking. Such obstacles as children, tricycles, boxes and the like cannot be seen through the rearview mirrors.

Expert drivers agree that backing is a slow, tedious and sometimes dangerous operation and they try to avoid it whenever possible. When
backing cannot be avoided, be in control of the vehicle, even in reverse motion, always take it slow and easy.

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Justin Robinson Toolboxtopics.com
 Topic #110
Safety Meeting

Given By_____________________ Date_________________

TRAFFIC SIGNS

All drivers know that road signs make traveling a little easier by providing pertinent information and regulating the flow of
traffic. They provide drivers with the rules of the road and give order to our behavior on the highway.

At the present time, there are three official traffic sign classifications—regulatory, warning and guide. These signs are further
broken down into seven basic shapes and eight basic colors.

Signs use various symbols, shapes and colors so that we drivers can react immediately to them. Symbols are now being used
extensively on highway signs, because research has shown that people react more quickly to symbols than they do to words. To
drive safely, therefore, we must be able to recognize these symbols and know what they mean.

Let's take a closer look at the warning sign classification. These yellow signs alert us to conditions that lie immediately ahead
and tell us what to look for. There may be road hazards, changes in direction or other situations that will require an adjustment
in our driving.

A pentagon shaped (five sided) warning sign, indicates that a school crossing zone is ahead. When you see this sign, you
should slow down, watch carefully and be prepared to stop if necessary.

Remember—schools may hold classes at different hours because of staggered schedules, and many school activities are held at
night, so be alert at all times.

The steep hill sign is not an indication of any ordinary hill, so take heed. The sign not only indicates a steep grade but possibly
a hill with long, steep or sharp curves. Slow down before you start down.

Signs indicate that two lanes of traffic will soon merge into one. Watch carefully and be prepared either to change lanes or to
allow traffic to merge into your lane.

Pedestrian crossing sign. This sign indicates that there is a crosswalk ahead, not necessarily at an intersection. Watch both sides
of the street for pedestrians.

We must remember that warning signs are primarily for the protection of the driver who is unacquainted with the road. It is
also very important that all drivers note their location.

In rural areas, warning signs should normally be placed 750 feet before a road hazard or condition. On high speed roads—and
particularly on freeways—advance warning distances may be as great as 1,500 feet or more! Where speeds are relatively low,
the advance distance is only about 250 feet.

It is important for you to know that the actual advance warning distance will be determined by two factors, the prevailing speed
and the prevailing condition. These bear, respectively, on the time available for a driver to comprehend and to react to the
message, and the time needed to perform any necessary maneuver.

It is every driver's responsibility to identify and obey all traffic control signs. Make it a point to periodically review the
different signs and to become acquainted with their meanings.

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Justin Robinson Toolboxtopics.com