If you’re in the process of setting up your own business, there is a lot to think about – including the safety of your staff. In order for them to perform well in their roles, it’s up to you to make sure that your workers are happy, healthy and free from harm’s way.
As Michael Jefferies Injury Lawyers point out, every employer has a duty of care in regards to the wellbeing of their employees. So, if you want to ensure your personnel are safe during their time at work, it’s important to be aware of the potential dangers of the workspace. In this blog, you’ll find three of the most common workplace accidents and tips on how you can avoid them.
1. Slips, trips and falls
Let’s be honest – it’s possible to slip, trip up or fall over just about anywhere. But did you know that taking a tumble is one of the most common accidents in the workplace? According to statistics from the Health and Safety Executive, in 2015/16, 19% of worker injuries were due to slips, trips and falls.
From loose, unruly cables to wet, slippery flooring, there are a number of reasons why you could lose your footing at work. So, to prevent you or someone else ending up on the floor, it’s important to create and maintain a clean, tidy work environment, whether it’s making sure all wires are neatly tucked away, to cleaning up spillages promptly or keeping all walkways clear.
If you spot something that could potentially cause an accident, you should fix the problem as soon as possible. With a little extra care and attention, you could help significantly lower the chances of you or one of your colleagues taking an unexpected stumble.
2. Falling from a height
Last year, the HSE reported that 26% of work fatalities were due to falling from a height. This probably makes sense in roles that require people to work from up high, such as on ladders or scaffolding, but in an office environment, you may think it’s virtually impossible to hurt yourself in this way. The truth is, you could be very wrong.
Whether it’s not paying attention walking down the stairs or perching on a chair to reach a high shelf, there are a variety of ways someone could fall down at work. So, to prevent your workers from becoming injured like this, it pays to be safe and sensible.
For example, you should encourage employees to use a pair of step ladders if they cannot reach something placed up high, and when it comes to walking down stairs, advise your staff to watch their step and use the handrail if necessary to avoid taking a tumble to the bottom.
3. Incorrect manual handling
Incorrect manual handling is another common cause of work-related injuries. It is to blame for over a third of musculoskeletal disorders, and it can happen in just about any type of job role. Whether it’s moving a box of paperwork or rearranging heavy furniture, it can be easy to become hurt if it’s not done properly.
To make sure that your employees are handling objects correctly, it’s important to offer them training. This should teach your personnel how to carry out safe manual handling and the techniques they should use to avoid injury. You could even provide staff with equipment that may help, such as a lightweight sack truck to help move heavy files and boxes around the office.
The safety of you and your workers is paramount, and by having an awareness of the most common injuries and how to avoid them, you shouldn’t struggle to keep everyone happy and healthy.
