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Employee Safety 101: Preventing Workplace Accidents

VWB Blog 2 years ago 17

Keep your employees safe and prevent workplace accidents with the right methods. Here are some practices for keeping your business and workers protected.

Unfortunately, workplace accidents are an inevitable part of life for many Americans — in 2019, one in five workers died of these accidents. You may think that these accidents are unavoidable, but that’s not always the case. Here are nine tips to make sure that you are staying safe in the workplace and encouraging your employees to do the same:

  1. Ensure employees are wearing the proper protective gear

Some accidents are unavoidable, but not wearing appropriate protective equipment can increase the risks associated with dangerous tasks by up to 20 times. Ensure employees understand the dangers of their jobs and know what work safety gear is required before they begin.

  1. Always have a first aid kit on hand

Accidents happen. Make sure the kit is stocked with all the standard bandages and medications. Keep it clean, organized, and accessible for employees to use in emergencies. Plus, ensure that employees know where to find it and how to use it.

This way, you can help employees avoid the pain and discomfort of a minor injury, which will make them more productive. In addition, you’ll head off more extensive injuries before they happen because of a lack of attention to detail.

  1. Establish clear, written procedures for each task

Written procedures are the best way to ensure that companies operate efficiently and effectively. Ensure all employees understand their responsibilities, what tools are needed for each task, how to use them, and where they can be found.

It can also be wise to post your safety rules in visible areas around the office so that employees are reminded of them throughout the day. By doing so, you’ll also be reinforcing the importance of workplace safety.

  1. Regularly inspect the equipment and conduct maintenance

Machinery, tools, and other equipment should be inspected daily by someone other than the employee who used them last. If possible, conduct monthly inspections as well. Also, check that all machinery is properly grounded every day to avoid shocking accidents.

Keep in mind that these pieces of machinery can mutilate or kill the people using them if they malfunction. So, make sure employees are aware of how dangerous the equipment can be when misused, and always teach them the proper way to use them.

  1. Provide regular training sessions on safety measures

Make sure all new employees understand the company’s safety policies. Update current employees with any changes to these procedures as needed. Also, provide refresher courses on first aid procedures regularly. Safety training is necessary to keep the employees and the workplace unharmed.

Don’t make the mistake of thinking employees know enough about safety. They don’t. Employees need to be constantly reminded of the dangers they face in their daily duties, and it’s up to you to make sure they remember this for their own good.

  1. Keep work areas clean and free from clutter

Adequate storage space, well-labeled work areas, and accessible emergency exits are essential for safety. Ensure employees know how to clean up messes and prevent dangerous clutter from building up on the job site because these can lead to accidents.

You should also make sure that safety equipment is always in good working order, employees are using it when necessary, and they are aware of where it’s kept when not in use. This way, employees can stay safe and productive.

  1. Create an evacuation plan for emergencies

It’s difficult to plan for a natural disaster, but it’s a good idea to have an emergency evacuation plan in place. This includes having a specific spot where employees will meet after evacuating and knowing how many people can fit inside the designated safe zone.

Make sure employees know the plan and practice the evacuation drill regularly. It can also help if you have a disaster recovery plan in place because you’ll be able to resume business quickly after an unfortunate event.

  1. Assign someone to monitor the safety of your workplace

Many industries are required to have a person responsible for workplace safety. Make sure this person knows what they should be doing and how to do it. This way, if an accident occurs, there will always be someone who knows how to fix the problem.

Never skip this vital step because it’s all too easy for workplace accidents to happen. By having an open line of communication with your employees, you’ll be able to find out about any safety problems they discover before an accident occurs.

  1. Follow all applicable laws when it comes to worker safety

Your workplace should always comply with the laws that pertain to your industry. Make sure employees understand their rights and what needs to be done to keep them safe. This is especially important when it comes to complying with health standards.

Finally, if an accident does happen, make sure there is a plan to clean up any messes created. Also, document all accidents in a logbook to use as proof if necessary because by doing so, you could save yourself from legal problems.

Employee safety is an important issue, and it should never be taken lightly. Employers should spend as much time and money as necessary to ensure their employees are protected at all times. These simple steps can help you prevent workplace accidents and keep your employees safe inside the work environment.

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