When we
talk about the game of football, we often talk about the importance of
blocking. When we are talking about site safety inspections, we
often see blocking violations which is a commonly noted problem. To
prevent this type of blocking, we first need to recognize a blocking hazard(s).
So what are some common forms of blocking? Below are a few
conditions found in most workplaces, but there can be others.
- Emergency
exits
- Fire
Extinguishers
- Electrical
panels
- Eyewash
stations
- Pedestrians aisles
The good news is that blocking can be easy to identify and easy
to fix. The first step is educating employees to recognize blocking hazards and
the potential impact if the condition is not immediately remedied. It
doesn’t have to be one person’s job to correct the blocking, but could be
turned in a positive action by making it a team effort. Moving boxes away
from an emergency exit doorway or moving pallets away from blocking a fire
extinguisher should be common sense, but periodic employee training is
always recommended. To help alleviate blocking conditions, consider
painting zones around the affected areas to make them highly visible.
