The Importance of Safety

Working safe in and around your horse barn should be the most important step of any project regardless of the size of the project. When planning your project, make safety the first priority. When making a list of materials that will be needed for your project, be sure to include the proper safety gear. On construction sites this gear is referred to as Personal Protection Equipment, or PPE. This equipment includes safety glasses, ear plugs, gloves, dust masks and leather shoes or boots.

After you have gathered your PPE, and before you start your project, it will be necessary to inspect your tools. You will need to check your hand tools and your power tools, whether they are electric or battery powered. Inspect your hand tools by checking for small, fine cracks. Such as in the handle of your hammer or pliers. You don't want to have one break while you are using it. I have seen a few co-workers use hammers with cracks in the handles which caused the metal head to fly off and hit them in their head. I've also seen pliers break while in use resulting in hand injuries.

It is important to inspect the electric cord or battery packs on power tools. Power tools can be quite dangerous if they are not in proper working order. You'll need to use extension cords that are of the correct size and inspect them for damage before use.

When using power tools, make sure you have your sleeves rolled up and your shirt tucked in. If you are wearing a coat or jacket be sure to zip-up or button the front of it. Power tools have high speed rotating parts that can easily catch and wrap around clothing. Put long hair up or in a pony-tail. Anything that hangs down, even a scarf, can get caught in a power tool and cause severe injuries.

Horse owners know the dangers of working their horses in extreme temperatures. We take precautions with our horses when it's extremely hot or extremely cold outside or we don't ride them in this type of weather. You also need to take precautions and be aware of the dangers of working in these extreme temperatures. It's easy to get involved in a project and not realize how hot or cold your internal body temperature has risen or dropped. People who are exposed to such extreme temperatures may be at risk of either heat stress or cold stress. Too much exposure can result in illness, and in some cases, death. Illness from these extreme temperatures will also depend on several factors, such as the physical activity, a person's age and health, your clothing, wind, or humidity. Let's learn how to prevent these dangerous situations from ever occurring.

Please take the time to read the pages dedicated to safety. As an industrial electrician I have seen many injuries that could have been avoided if the individuals would have taken the time to inspect their tools and worn the proper safety attire. I have been one of those individuals. What is an eye or a finger worth to you? Are they worth the extra five or ten minutes it takes to inspect a tool? Don't become a statistic.

There are people who make things happen, those who watch what happens, and those who wonder what happened.

Home

Privacy Policy