Create a Culture of Safety: 7 Tips to Eliminate Workplace Accidents
Accidents happen. But almost every accident can be traced to negligence on someone’s part, and the lack of adherence for general safety policy.
If you’re worried about workplace accidents at your job, you can be the one to create a culture of safety to reduce their presence and impact.
In this article, we will cover 7 tips to help eradicate workplace accidents.
Keep reading to find out more.
1. No Slips – No Trips
One of the most prevalent non-fatal workplace accidents is a slip or a trip. And considering how often they actually occur, it is critical to the safety of your employees to make sure that all workspace is clear of spills and obstructions.
If you are dealing with liquids, one can use guards or drip pans. If you dealing with grocery stores, make sure spills are cleaned immediately, and secured via some warning signs. If your workplace can have loose boards, nails, or holes – make sure there are none of those.
All issues of this nature should be remedied on the spot with the utmost respect for the health and safety of the people who are susceptible to injury within this environment. If an area cannot be cleaned, install anti-slip flooring.
2. Clear Exits – Clear Workspace
As mentioned earlier, obstructions are dangerous. Remove all clutter that might be blocking off emergency exits, clear out all equipment shutoff and all areas in which someone is working.
An obstructed workplace leads to a lack of space for the use of tools and mobility, and that means depleted work efficiency, which often comes with injury. If an exit is cluttered, you might not be able to escape when an emergency does occur.
Place items in their proper storage, and keep the work area clean and the exits clear.
3. Eye & Ears
If you are in a workplace where hazardous materials are part of the job, or where loud noises are a common occurrence, wearing eye and ear equipment is critical to your safety.
Defensive eyewear will prevent injury from chemical or fire exposure. Whereas, ear protection will prevent you from losing your hearing abilities, or experiencing permanent damage. Industrial deafness is more common than you think, so don’t let something like that happen to your teammates.
4. Ergonomics
In the workplace, intentional ergonomics not only make the job more comfortable, but they also improve the work output of all employees. Even if you’re standing all day at a machine or sitting at a computer all day, ensuring that the equipment is at an appropriate height is vital.
Keyboard height affects the hands, shoulders, and back. The seating affects mobility and length of productive work. Make sure that the work stations for each employee are customized to their needs, and not the general collective.
5. Industry Standards
It’s vital not only to the success of a business, but also to the safety of the employees to have industry standards. For instance, OSHA has safety standards, which cover the handling of hazardous materials, therefore it’s vital to use safety data sheets for such substances.
Not adhering to industry standards means you are placing yourself and others under a lot of risks, so research the standards for your market and apply accordingly.
6. Considerate Movement
Everybody feels like they can pick up large objects and carry them, even when there are others around. Remember, improper lifting leads to devastating injuries, acute and chronic, which totally ruin your outlook on life.
For any object that is over 50 pounds, you should be using a machine to lift it. Anything lighter can be lifted by a person, but they should be trained on proper form and activating their legs as a leverage point, and not their back.
If it’s a repetitive action, a back brace or exo-suit are great options as well.
7. Safety Training
Heavy machinery can be taught, but it cannot be easily learned. And to be honest, it shouldn’t be learned on your own. The result of self-training can be fatal to others, and to yourself.
In order to operate any machinery, one must go through the proper training channels to get accustomed to the foreign equipment. Even using a ladder in a dangerous way can lead to injury, so it’s important to be aware of height work safety procedures.
In any case, if you have questions, don’t be afraid to ask someone you know will know the answer.
Workplace Accidents Averted
Now that you have discovered 7 tips for eradicating workplace accidents, you are well on your way to instill a safety policy for the entire enterprise, which will ensure that everybody is safe and sound all throughout their workday.
A day in the field observing people in various positions around the company is a great way to recognize activities, which are very strenuous that can be optimized or delegated to ensure that your employees are in their best shape whenever they perform.
By doing so, you not only reap the benefits of a safe environment, but you also ensure that the success of the company is built on the backs of people who are full of energy and are willing to work, knowing that they are cared for, and their safety is your safety.
To diminish risk, increase workplace safety, assure regulatory compliance – you can work with KHA solutions (us). If you’re interested in a variety of workplace safety services, you should get in touch with us and we will happily accommodate all of your needs.