I had another poster ask me about a post by FracusBrown that somehow I had overlooked where he made the following statement
While he was attempting to be funny in the second half of the post, he is technically correct in the statement that it does not specifically prohibit.
But that is the problem when you have someone that is viewing only the written word for exact fits to what you are trying to prove or disprove.
First, anyone care to guess how many deaths there have been over the last 10 years by persons being pulled into conveyor systems by clothes? Any one care to guess how many injuries due to fingers etc getting into conveyors? Which of the three (UPS, Fedex, Postal Service) has had the most deaths with conveyors?
Now on to addressing Fracus's statement. Yes, Osha regulations do not specifically state that you can not wear loose fitting clothing or jewelry at work. But what it does do is build a very strong case to not allow it. And this is the reasonings that we used to not carry keys on fingers at work. The excerpt below details the process in detail and can be be found at safety community.com
Not only has OSHA identified it as a problem that employers need to address on their own, they have a training video that addresses the same issue
So yes, he is technically correct in his statement. But we were also correct in that we can prove that OSHA knows there is a serious issue, it has produced information to that effect, and it has instructed employers to develop plans to keep situations that have proved themselves to be dangerous to employees from existing.
This is also why UPS has developed guidelines for sups wearing ties in the workplace, long hair that can not be loose etc.
I hope this clears it up?
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I agree with not wearing loose fitting clothing rings etc in situations where it is likely to contribute to injury. In the case of the key in the hand there is no logical reason to presume that injury would occur as there are no dangerous machinery or other potential hazards present. Carrying the keys ANYWHERE can cause injury under the right conditions. Whether you put them on your finger, in a pocket, on a belt loop or even in your sock, an injury may occur if you fall on them. The key ring did not get caught, snagged, or drawn into anything. They were fallen upon. Using your logic, waiters should not be allowed to carry beverage containers or silverware in their hand as an injury may occur if they slip and fall.
If OSHA were to take the regulations the level of protection that prohibited wearing a ring at any time or holding keys in the hand at anytime we would have an atmosphere where virtually nothing can be accomplished. Of the millions upon millions of occurrences of keys being held on the finger by drivers, very very few result in significant injury. The risk is virtually nil in this situation.
Spandex, thats no joke. Quite a number of injuries have occurred as drivers get their loose fitting pants and shirts snagged on shift levers, door handles, and other machinery and hazards. Its a worthy cause. As in the emperor's clothes story, only the smart people will be able to see the fine cloth though.
No question - conveyor belts are very dangerous, but have no connection to keys on the finger while walking in open space.
I am not aware of any guideline for not wearing ties. The dress policy was changed, but there is no restriction on ties that I am aware of. I agree that it should be prohibited while working around belts, machinery and vehicles.