Blocking

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.