Some jobs are dangerous and may lead to workplace injuries, but they’re crucial for specific business operations. However, employee safety at work is a real concern. All sorts of accidents may happen in restaurant kitchens, construction sites, and even hospitals. That’s why you should know what you can do as an employer to prevent such accidents.
To provide a safe environment for your employees and avoid any legal backlash, you need to make an accident prevention strategy.
Let’s get started with the following tips:
Prevent Falls
Oil spills, obstructions on the floor, and just-waxed floors could all be factors that may cause an employee to fall during work hours. You may take a look at the employees rushing about at the peak of the workday, and see just how much they’re at risk of tripping, slipping, and falling.
These accidents might be mostly minor but could result in serious issues such as concussions, back injuries, head injuries, cuts, sprains, broken bones, and pulled muscles. As an employer, you may be the victim of such accidents too if you’re visiting that particular site. Therefore, it’s wise to seek medical help when you have an on the job injury in Portland.
You can avoid such falls by making someone remove any obstructions or tripping hazards, especially any loose rugs, mats, or loose floorboards. Invest in signs for slippery floors, and have your employees wear safety shoes with a firm grip. This will hopefully make the number of falling accidents go down.
Reduce The Risk of Moving Machinery
If you have employees working with machinery, you’re responsible for keeping them safe from getting their body parts stuck inside. Injuries related to moving machinery is definitely heart-wrenching. Plus, they mostly occur in three places: where the employees perform the work; electrical connections like pulleys, cranks, gears, etc; and any other part that moves.
To keep your employees safe from the machinery they operate, focus on these three areas of danger and make sure to safeguard them. Proper training in handling such machinery, providing protective clothing, and controlling current hazards (such as exposed wires) should be your immediate steps.
Help Employees Avoid Accidents in Transit
Your employees might also risk getting run over by large vehicles like trucks on the work premises. Accidents involving vehicles are a common cause of fatalities in the agricultural sector. To avoid such situations, assess the risk and see how you can implement prevention measures. Safer systems and orientation between workers and vehicles will be your foremost tasks. You can also look for outlining routes and make any obstructions more visible.
Make Them Stay Away From Unexpected Accidents
No matter what industry you’re in, there’s always the risk of some unexpected accidents such as fire, explosions, and similar occurrences. Follow the OSHA communication standards for hazards to keep your employees safe from such accidents.
You can also keep some safety datasheets handy and have your employees wear protective equipment if the risk is high. Evacuation places, sprinkler systems, fire alarms, smoke alarm, and similar equipment should also be a part of every workplace.
There’s A Connection Between Productivity and Workplace Safety
Working towards a safe environment for your employees will show them that you care about their well-being. This will hopefully enhance their motivation, and therefore, their productivity. Focus on the tips above and you’ll be able to safeguard the reputation of your company as well.
