Workers employed in the factories or mines fact a great risk of injury by accident, which sometimes leads to death. An accident leading to death can be caused if proper care is not taken in fixing electricity or power wires.
Likewise, fire causes great loss of life and property in factories. Every year several deaths take place in the mines because safety measures are not taken by the mine-owners.
Therefore, it is very important that the workers should have knowledge about safety measures. The following are some of the significant points a worker should know:
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(1) A worker should ensure that the place of work is fit for working. In other words, he should see that there is proper arrangement for light, water, air ventilation, drinking water, latrines, urinals and arrangement to fight fire, if it breaks out suddenly.
(2) A worker should be very careful while operating machines. A little carelessness or negligence in handling machines can cause a big accident. In the matter of electricity, they should not touch a live electricity wire themselves.
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If something goes wrong with the machine or an electric switch, they should report it to the person concerned instead of interferring with the machines or power wires. Only the authorised persons like licensed electricians or mechanic should handle this job.
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(3) In certain factories the material used is highly inflammable. It catches fire quickly. So smoking is strictly prohibited there.
In such places the workers should not smoke. In May 1983, a very big fire accident took place in a cooking gas filling factory in Delhi and a great loss of property was caused.
It is very essential that workers should follow the safety measures prescribed for their own safety.
(4) In case of fire, the workers should immediately arrange to inform the fire brigade and use the fire extinguishers if they are available nearby or fight fire by using water etc. if possible.
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(5) All big and risky machines should be kept in fences. And-workers should avoid going near such machines if they have no business there.
(6) Sub-guards should be provided for moving parts of the machinery.
(7) Wherever necessary, gloves for hands, goggles for eyes, apron and special clothing’s should provided.
(8) Tools should be handled and kept safely.
(9) Precautions, warnings and like ‘Danger 440 volts’ should be displayed prominently wherever necessary.
(10) To allow a large number of workers to work in a small place is very dangerous. Suppose a fire breaks up in such a place the workers should find it difficult to run away quickly. It is also not good from the point of view of health.
(11) Before going in the mines, the mine workers should ensure that proper safety measures have been taken to face any accident, if it takes place in the mine.
(12) The workers should not continuously for more than then prescribed working hours. They should take rest and then go for the next shift.
Earning a little by losing one’s health can by no means be described as a wise act.
(13) In the interest of their own safety, worker should attend seminars, Film shows or talks organised to teach them the safety rules. And they should follow them strictly.
For the purpose of safety the government set up the National Safety Council in March 1966. It arranges seminars, organises film shows in factories and distributes posters on the subject of safety.
And in order to encourage safety measures by the factory owners, the government has set National Safety Awards under the Factories Act, 1948. Cash prizes and certificates are given to factory owners who arrange best safety measures.
Special arrangements for the safety of mine workers have been made by the government under the Constitution.