Machinery Lubrication magazine published by Noria Corporation
Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1189076
When most people think about safety, they usually consider their personal responsibility for staying safe. At any plant I visit, safety typically is among the first topics discussed, and it's almost always targeted toward what individual actions must be performed. is includes which personal protective equipment (PPE) to wear, what areas to avoid, which sirens or alarms to be aware of, what the fire or severe weather plan is and other related items. Many sites even have employees and contractors wear a visible sticker or badge that shows a proper safety briefing has been completed. However, when it comes to the specific tasks asso- ciated with a lubrication program, the general safety training and knowledge in most plants is insufficient. Safety should be the top priority on a jobsite, and the lubrication program's design should be part of this safety prioritization. When establishing a culture of safety around your lube program, there are six main elements to consider: general safety, training, storage, handling, worksite monitoring and disposal. General Safety Work within the existing safety programs at your site. Take advantage of the rules and regulations currently being enforced and decide how they apply to lubrica- tion practices. Your company has already committed to employee safety and well-being, and determining how your actions fit into these existing practices will go a long way toward your success. For example, many oil sampling or fill points can be in hard-to-reach locations. Guidelines likely are in place for how to properly gain access to those spots, such as fall protection for working aloft or how to posi- tion a ladder to reach over a run of piping. Incorporate the current safety framework at your jobsite, from PPE to cleanliness and anything else the health, safety and environment (HSE) team has set in place to ensure overall company safety. You should also work with your HSE team to contribute lubrication knowledge to existing safety standards. Help them identif y hazards and assess risks in specif ic lubrication matters. Lubrication is used to help equipment move, and by definition, How to Perform Lubrication Tasks Safely "When it comes to the specific tasks associated with a lubrication program, the general safety training and knowledge in most plants is insufficient." Lubric ation Programs Daniel Rader | Noria Corporation BACK PAGE BASICS 48 | November - December 2019 | www . machinerylubrication.com