Click here for the Loose Clothing TBT Script in English

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Toolbox Talk - THE HAZARDS OF LONG HAIR, LOOSE CLOTHING AND JEWELRY IN THE WORKPLACE

The health and safety of our associates is paramount, and we all have a responsibility to provide a safe workplace.  As such we all have the right and a duty to stop unsafe acts if we see them, we should not allow our colleagues or visitors to work in unsafe conditions or scenarios.

Today I want to talk specifically about the hazards of loose clothing, long hair and jewelry in the workplace, these can be dangerous because they can get caught in machinery or other objects, causing injuries.    

Loose clothing is also at a greater risk of catching on fire while working near hot equipment.

There have been incidents where holes or tears in clothing have caught on equipment controls and caused unintended movements which lead to injuries and property damage.  Strings and hoods on hooded sweatshirts can easily get caught in rotating parts when working around rotating equipment or other types of moving equipment.

Baggy pants, neck ties and untied shoelaces are just a few examples of loose clothing hazards in the workplace.  Untucked shirts, unzipped jackets and other flapping items may be drawn in to belts, shafts, gears, pulleys, chains, or other rotating, reciprocating, or moving parts.

How to prevent hazards in the workplace:

• Choose clothing that fits properly;
• Tuck in clothing;
• Avoid wearing multiple layers or baggy clothing;
• Tie back long hair;
• Remove loose or exposed jewelry;
• Do not wear clothing with big tears or holes;
• Avoid wearing hooded sweatshirts with strings.

If you have concerns about your safety or the safety of others, report those concerns to a supervisor, manager, EHS, Human Resources, Legal and Compliance, or call RPM’s hotline.