When getting on or off equipment, what should employees avoid?

When getting on or off equipment, one of the key safety practices is to avoid using handheld objects. This is crucial because having something in hand can impede an employee's ability to maintain proper balance, use handrails effectively, and respond to unexpected movements. If an employee is holding an object, their focus may also be divided, increasing the risk of slips, trips, or falls. Proper use of both hands ensures that an individual can stabilize themselves while navigating onto or off of the equipment, thereby enhancing safety during these movements.

Approaching from the opposite side might not always be safe depending on the context, while steps without obstructions are generally the goal. However, the primary concern emphasized here focuses on the potential hazards associated with having handheld objects when accessing equipment, making it a critical aspect of safety training.