INDUSTRIAL JOB HAZARDS
Certain types of jobs in industry, of
course, involve more hazards than others-for example, those requiring the
mixing of chemicals or use of blowtorch, drilling equipment, baking, meat
handling, construction, lumbering, mining, and work with radioactive materials.
Often, several sources of danger are involved, some peculiar to the particular
job and others common to many types of work.
Yet, no matter how many sources of
danger there are, it is possible to take precautions against them. A good
example of the fact that precautions can be taken and there is little excuse
for many industrial accidents is welding. Here is an occupation that carries
with it four major threats to health and life: electrical shocks and burns;
burns from gas flames and splashes of hot metal; damage to eyes and skin from
the rays of powerful arc lights; and bad air produced by chemical fumes.
Yet,
during World War II when it became essential, women without any previous
experience at all in heavy industry and new workers without previous experience
in welding were quickly and effectively trained to weld-and to weld safely.
Your employer should supply you with equipment and instructions needed to
reduce or eliminate risks you face. Your union may have further information to
provide.
You should acquaint yourself with any and all dangers you may be up
against-and never become lax.
