Workplace injuries put employees at risk and can have a significant impact on overall productivity. When was the last time your business evaluated its safety measures? It’s important to carry out a risk assessment on every task you perform.
We are all equally burdened with the responsibility to look out for ourselves, our co-workers, the public, and the environment. With so many people, places, materials, tools, equipment, vehicles, and everything else involved, safety is a massive obligation.
Keeping ourselves up to date on what should be done and making sure that we are all doing it is a great deal of work but can be managed with an effective strategy
Do you have a safe working policy?
No matter what job you do, whether your workplace is a construction site or an office cubicle, taking preventative measures helps keep you, your colleagues and your customers safe.
A safe working environment is based on how well employees, both management and on the factory floor, abide by and communicate about safety standards.
Empower your workers to “own” safety by involving them in the safety planning process. Always keep the communication lines open with your co-workers, employers, or employees in order to promote and maintain a safe environment.
Educate your employees
In many cases, employees may understand fully what the safety procedures are at work and what to do when an accident or injury occurs, but if they don’t understand the reasoning for it they may begin to think it’s just there because somebody had to justify their existence at the company.
Train new employees and educate them about safe and healthy work habits. Educate everyone in the workplace about the safety requirements and consider posting a list of workplace safety tips.
Give the appropriate context for the regulations by sharing some history on what precipitated the creation of certain procedures. With that understanding, workers will better internalize the purpose of procedures and will be more invested in following them.
Do you need safety boots?
If you work on-site or in a physically demanding environment, looking after your feet and staying comfortable cannot be stressed enough. However, as well as comfort, there is also the issue of safety.
In some jobs, especially those that involve working with heavy machinery, power tools and cutting equipment, safety boots are a legal requirement. Steel, alloy and non-metallic toe-capped boots are heavy-duty safety options to keep toes and feet safe.
Take regular breaks
Many work-related injuries and illnesses occur because an employee is tired, stressed out, burned out and can’t stay alert at all times while working. Taking regular breaks helps you stay fresh on the job.
Breaks refresh your mind and boost your energy. One trick to staying alert is to schedule the most difficult tasks when your concentration is best, like first thing in the morning. Don’t sit for too long on a job. Plan your breaks. Don’t overwork to make up for yesterday. Stay healthy at all times and
Reduce workplace stress
Stress can lead to concentration problems. Common causes of workplace stress include long hours, heavy workload, job insecurity and sometimes conflicts with management or other employees.
Take your concerns about workplace stress to your supervisor to see how they might help you address them