Take some time to contemplate the safety of your workplace. Part of an employer’s responsibility is to ensure the safety of their employees at all times.
- How often do you assess workplace safety?
- Is it monthly?
- Quarterly? Annually?
No matter which industry you belong to, never undervalue the importance of workplace safety. Reducing accident-related injuries in your workplace is a crucial part of your company’s culture. If you do not want to deal with a personal injury lawyer in Hamilton, take proactive steps to ensure the safety of the workplace to avoid risks and liabilities. A safety mindset does not only protect your employees’ health and welfare but also boosts morale, streamlines production and operations, and reduces costs.
Here are 8 elements that make your workplace a safe environment for every employee:
Employee Training
Relying on safety procedures and policies may not be adequate to keep your employees away from unexpected accidents. Safety training should be provided to everyone in the organization so that they can be aware of their role in maintaining safety and security at all times.
Unfortunately, some people become complacent over time, especially if they have been working for years. It creates an impression that they are experts in what they do. Complacency can put a person at risk of accidents. Good training from safety consultants Oshawa professionals should also include a safety attitude to prevent complacency in the workplace.
Proper Use of Tools, Equipment, and Machinery
Training employees how to use tools, equipment, and machinery properly helps prevent injuries. Assign workers to machines that they are trained or certified to operate. Make sure to keep the tools, equipment, and machines clean after every use. Always use the machinery for the intended purpose. While forklifts help lift and move heavy items, you can protect the driver from potential under-ride accidents by installing the Backbone for reach trucks.
Partner with Occupational Clinicians
Occupational clinicians are experts in giving helpful insights into the prevention of workplace injuries. They will visit the worksite and identify which areas are prone to accidents.
Working with physical and occupational therapists can also help you boost the ergonomics in the workplace and develop human performance assessments to screen workers for physically demanding roles.
Identify Potential Hazards
Identifying potential safety hazards also helps prevent accidents. These may include areas that may pose a threat, such as dangerous chemicals, slippery surfaces, and exposed wires. List down all safety hazards and work on them.
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Place Warning Signs and Labels
You can eliminate these hazards by making changes and placing signage and warnings to alert your employees. Installing warning signs in accident-prone areas helps alert employees of potential safety hazards.
Make sure that the wording of the signs are clearly written. You might be tempted to print the signs from your office printer, but using hard, laminated and durable signs is a better idea. Tacking paper warning signs onto walls can eventually get old and fall off.
Keep Your Surroundings Clean
Accidents and injuries often happen in messy workplaces. Stack boxes properly and clean spills right away to avoid slip-and-fall injuries. Injured workers can file a lawsuit against your company, with the help of a Peterborough injury lawyer.
Also, conduct regular inspections to check for potential workplace hazards. Implement programs, such as the 5S (Sort-Set in order-Shine-Standardize-Sustain) to ensure reliable work practices and a clean working environment.
Report Any Unsafe Conditions
Workplace hazards may range from simple endangerment (messy areas, working in confined spaces) to harmful chemicals and exposed electrical wiring, which can be extremely fatal.
Address unsafe conditions as soon as possible. If you think that getting rid of the hazard is dangerous for you, call a professional to work on it. As mentioned by Jonas Østergaard Pedersen, International SEM Manager of EcoOnline,
“Safety culture requires engagement from the ground upwards, and can’t be created overnight.”
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Take Regular Breaks
Make sure that all your employees are taking their regular breaks. Working for hours without breaks can put your employees at risk of fatigue. This can make them less aware of their surroundings. Taking a break refreshes and recharges them so they are able to continue their tasks with vigor.
