The Critical Do’s and Don’ts of Workplace Safety for Industrial Workers

In the high-risk industrial environments of Western Canada’s oil and gas, mining, construction, and forestry sectors, workplace safety isn’t just about regulatory compliance—it’s about saving lives.

This article covers workplace safety’s do’s and don’ts, giving you practical tips to help keep your team safe on the job. As a manager, it’s your responsibility to ensure workers understand how to stay safe, from risk assessment and hazard awareness to emergency procedures and chemical safety. Use this guide to reinforce safety practices that ensure your crew gets home safely after every shift.

Risk Assessment and Hazard Awareness

Spotting safety hazards in your workplace is key to keeping you and your crew safe. Taking the time to do proper risk assessments and knowing the potential dangers can go a long way toward reducing injuries.

DO involve employees in the hazard identification process

Your team knows the risks of their jobs better than anyone. They work with equipment and materials day in and day out, so they’re more likely to spot issues that others might miss.

When your team works together to spot hazards, they catch more risks before anyone gets hurt. This kind of teamwork builds a safety culture where everyone takes pride in keeping the site safe. When workers see their safety suggestions put into action, they stay engaged and keep calling out issues before they become problems.

DO conduct regular risk assessments to identify potential hazards

Job sites change constantly—what was safe yesterday might not be safe today. Before you and your crew start your shift, take a few minutes to look around and spot anything new or different that could cause problems.

Safety hazards can pop up as conditions change, so make it a habit to conduct regular risk assessments, especially when new equipment, processes, or materials come into play. A good practice for your crew is to keep track of what they find and tackle the biggest risks first.

DON’T ignore minor hazards as they can lead to major incidents

What appears to be a minor issue today, like a slightly damaged tool or a minor leak, can escalate into a serious incident tomorrow. Even if it doesn’t seem like a big deal, your crew should take care of it right away. Fixing minor hazards now keeps them from turning into major problems later.

DON’T rush through assessments to save time

Speeding through safety checks can lead to dangerous blind spots. When schedules are tight, teams often feel pressured to cut corners, but skipping steps often means missing hazards. Remind your crew that taking a few extra minutes to do it right might slow things down, but it’s worth it to avoid bigger problems later on.

Safety Culture Development

A strong workplace safety culture starts with you and your crew. When safety is built into how your crew works every day, accidents are reduced, and the job site stays safer. It’s about making safety a habit for your crew, not just something they think about when the boss is around.

DO lead by example, by demonstrating commitment to safety

Your crew pays attention to how seriously you take safety. If you always wear your PPE, follow machine safety rules, and address safety issues right away, they’ll see that safety matters. Leading by example will encourage them to do the same, even when no one’s watching.

DON’T prioritize productivity over safety protocols

Your crew has probably felt the pressure just to get the job done when deadlines are tight. It’s in those rushed moments that accidents happen. No production target is worth a serious injury or sending one of your team members to the hospital. Ensure your workers know that if something doesn’t look right, they have the right to stop, speak up, and get it fixed before moving on.

Safety Training and Education

Good safety training is the backbone of staying safe on the job. It’s what gives people the skills to spot problems, know what to do about them, and handle emergencies when they happen.

DO provide comprehensive safety training for all employees

As a manager, you must ensure every worker gets thorough safety training that’s practical, engaging, and easy to follow. To keep your crew interested and help them retain the information, use a mix of training methods, like hands-on practice, demonstrations, and straightforward explanations. You shouldn’t just focus on the “how” of safety procedures—explain the “why” too, so your team understands the reasons behind each step. Regular refresher sessions are also helpful to reinforce essential concepts that can fade over time.

DO customize training for specific job roles and associated risks

The hazards your crew faces on a drill press aren’t the same as what they deal with when operating a forklift. Good safety training must cover the real dangers your team faces daily, not just general safety talk.

It is important that your workers practice with the actual tools and equipment they’ll be using on the job, not just watch how they work in training videos. Proper training means your crew can handle real problems when they come up, not just pass a test.

DON’T assume experienced workers don’t need ongoing training

Just because someone’s been doing the job for years doesn’t mean they’re always doing it safely. Experience can build good skills, but it can lead to risky shortcuts or habits. Long-time workers might feel confident because they’ve never had an incident, but that doesn’t mean their way of doing things is safe. Regular training helps catch these habits before they turn into accidents.

DON’T invest in training just to meet minimum regulatory requirements

Good safety training isn’t just about ticking boxes; it’s about ensuring your crew uses what they learn on the job. It should help them understand why safety matters and how to practice it daily. The real test of good training is seeing it in action when they’re out there working.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

PPE is your team’s last line of defence when other safety measures aren’t enough to keep hazards under control.

DO wear appropriate PPE for specific tasks and environments

Hazards come in all shapes and sizes on the job site, so your crew needs the right gear for the right job. It’s not just about knowing what PPE to wear; it’s just as important that they understand when to wear it and how it protects them. Instead of grabbing whatever’s lying around, ensure the equipment they use matches the specific risks they face that day.

DO inspect and ensure proper fit of all protective equipment

Before each use, you and your crew should carefully examine your protective equipment for signs of wear and tear or damage that might compromise its effectiveness. Your team should regularly inspect complex PPE, such as self-contained breathing apparatuses, to ensure these critical items remain in proper working condition when needed.

DON’T modify PPE in ways that compromise protection

Remind your crew that changing PPE for comfort or convenience can reduce how well it protects them. Any modifications should follow the manufacturer’s guidelines and only be made by authorized personnel. Even minor tweaks can compromise the gear and increase the risk of injury. It’s your job to ensure PPE stays in proper condition and is used as intended.

DON’T share personal protective equipment between workers

Make sure each worker has their own properly fitting PPE and that it is kept in good shape. When gear is assigned to individuals, it’s more likely to be used correctly and maintained. You should avoid having your crew share PPE; sharing can lead to contamination, poor fit, and faster wear and tear, all of which increase the risk of injury.

Equipment and Machinery Safety

Industrial equipment can be dangerous if it’s not used or maintained correctly. Keeping your team safe means ensuring they know the proper procedures and stay alert while operating machinery.

DO inspect tools and equipment before operation

Before starting work, your team should examine all components for damage, excessive wear, or malfunction. They should also check guards, emergency stops, and safety devices to ensure they’re properly installed and functioning correctly.

Even small issues detected during routine checks can prevent major incidents that might otherwise occur during operation.

DON’T remove or bypass safety features on machinery

Machine guards, emergency stops, two-hand controls, and other safety mechanisms exist to keep your crew safe. Make it clear that removing or bypassing them to save time or make things easier isn’t worth the risk. Ultimately, an injury or fatality will shut down operations far longer and impede productivity more than taking the time to use safety features ever would. Safety features should never be viewed as optional or as obstacles to productivity.

DON’T operate equipment you haven’t been trained to use

You should never have your crew operate unfamiliar machines without proper training. They might not recognize warning signs or know how to shut down safely in an emergency.

What seems straightforward can quickly turn dangerous when something unexpected happens, leading to serious injuries. Even if they’ve used similar equipment before, different models can have unique safety features that need specific training.

Ergonomics and Body Mechanics

Physical strain and repetitive movements can wear your crew down over time. Always look for early signs of discomfort, which can lead to serious injuries that often go unnoticed until significant damage occurs.

DO use proper lifting techniques to prevent musculoskeletal injuries

One often overlooked part of safety is teaching your crew how to lift correctly. Ensure they know to get close to the load, bend at the knees—not the waist—and use their legs instead of their back to lift. For bigger or heavier items, they should ask a coworker for help or use equipment like forklifts, pallet jacks, or cranes if available.

It might take a bit more time, but lifting the right way keeps them safe from back injuries that could put them out of work.

DON’T ignore early signs of repetitive stress injuries

Remind your crew to pay attention to persistent aches, tingling, reduced grip strength, or stiffness that doesn’t go away with rest. Reporting these signs early can make a big difference, allowing adjustments to workstations or techniques before the problem gets worse.

Some workers might try to “tough it out” or worry about reporting minor issues, but catching these problems early usually means simpler treatment.

Emergency Procedures

Making sure your crew knows exactly what to do in an emergency can be the difference between staying safe and facing a disaster. Clear procedures and regular practice drills help your team respond quickly and effectively when it counts.

DO know evacuation routes and assembly points

Familiarize your team with all emergency exits and evacuation paths from your work area before an emergency occurs. When an alarm sounds, there’s no time to search for exit signs or check evacuation maps.

It’s important that your crew keeps pathways clear at all times; equipment, pallets, or supplies left in walkways can become dangerous obstacles.

DON’T panic during emergencies

When emergencies happen, your team’s ability to think clearly becomes your greatest asset. Panicking leads to poor decisions and potentially dangerous actions that endanger yourself and others.

Remind your team to take a deep breath, recall their emergency response training, and follow established procedures.

First Aid and Medical Response

Quick, appropriate medical response can significantly reduce the severity of workplace injuries and sometimes mean the difference between life and death.

DO maintain well-stocked first aid kits in accessible locations

Make sure first aid supplies are easy to access throughout the workplace, not just in a central location. A well-stocked kit should have essentials like bandages, antiseptic wipes, scissors, tape, gauze, gloves, and anything else that makes sense for the hazards your crew faces.

Knowing exactly where these supplies are can save valuable time during an emergency, when quick treatment can make a big difference.

DO ensure multiple employees are trained in first aid

Every shift should include workers trained in basic first aid and CPR. These skills give your crew the confidence to step in and help if someone gets hurt before medical help arrives. Plus, these skills aren’t just valuable at work; they can make a difference in their personal lives too.

DON’T attempt medical procedures beyond your training

Teach your crew when it’s time to call for professional medical help, and make sure they know how to give clear, accurate information to first responders. Even with the best intentions, stepping outside their training can make things worse. Handling advanced procedures without the proper knowledge can turn a manageable injury into a serious one.

DON’T delay seeking professional medical help when needed

Your crew might think some injuries aren’t a big deal at first, but minor issues can become serious if they’re not taken care of.

If there’s any doubt about the severity of an injury, your crew should always play it safe and get it checked out. Some injuries, like head trauma or chemical exposures, can have delayed symptoms that don’t show up right away, but can lead to serious issues later on.

Workplace Organization and Maintenance

Keeping the job site organized isn’t just about looking professional; it’s about keeping your crew safe and the work running smoothly. Good workplace organization plays an important role in preventing accidents and maintaining efficiency.

DO clean up spills immediately to prevent slips and falls

Spills can cause serious injuries if not dealt with right away. If your crew spots a spill—whether it’s water, oil, chemicals, or debris—they need to act immediately. They should either clean it up safely or secure the area and report it to the right person.

DON’T block aisles, exits, or access to emergency equipment

Teach your team always to keep aisles, stairways, and exit paths clear. Put proper storage systems in place for tools and materials, and set the expectation that everything gets returned after use. Leaving tools, materials, or equipment in paths can block people from moving safely and make it harder to access critical safety gear when needed.

Chemical and Hazardous Materials Safety

Industrial job sites often contain hazardous substances that must be handled correctly to keep workers safe and protect the environment.

DO read and follow Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for all chemicals

Before handling any chemical, your team should review the Safety Data Sheet (SDS). They must know about the specific hazards, the right protective gear, safe handling procedures, and what to do in an emergency.

Understanding the risks ahead of time can prevent serious injuries like chemical burns, respiratory issues, and other long-term health problems.

DON’T store hazardous materials in unmarked containers

Never let your crew transfer hazardous materials into food or drink containers, unmarked bottles, or anything not approved for storage. Every chemical container should be clearly labelled, which helps prevent accidents and keeps everyone safe.

Environmental Controls

Some hazards on the job site aren’t always obvious. Hazards such as airborne chemicals, gas leaks, or noise levels can put your crew at risk without them even realizing it.

DO monitor noise levels and use hearing protection when needed

Loud equipment on the job site can cause permanent hearing damage, even if it doesn’t cause immediate pain or discomfort. This is why your crew needs to wear hearing protection every time they’re in high-noise areas, even if it’s just for a few minutes.

Remind your team that hearing loss doesn’t happen all at once; it builds up over time and can’t be reversed.

DON’T disable ventilation systems, even temporarily

Good ventilation keeps the air safe by controlling airborne contaminants, maintaining oxygen levels, and stopping the buildup of flammable vapours or toxic gases.

Your crew should never disable exhaust fans, block air returns, or close vents needed to keep the air flowing. Just because the air looks clear or doesn’t smell bad doesn’t mean it’s safe; some harmful substances don’t have any obvious signs. Proper training on using gas detectors, ventilation systems, and air quality monitors helps catch issues early and keeps everyone safe.

Make Safety a Daily Priority

Workplace safety in industrial environments isn’t achieved through occasional efforts but through consistent daily choices prioritizing well-being over convenience.

By implementing the do’s and don’ts outlined in this guide, you create a culture where everyone returns home safely after each shift.

Remember that accidents rarely result from a single failure, but often stem from overlooked warnings, bypassed procedures, or gradual acceptance of unsafe conditions.

With over 30 years of supporting Western Canada’s industrial sectors, Trojan Safety offers comprehensive training courses like H2S Alive, Confined Space Entry, and Fall Protection, alongside essential safety services including medical support, firefighting capabilities, and air quality monitoring.

Contact us today to discover how our expertise can help your organization implement these critical safety practices and protect your most valuable asset—your people.