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Though most businesses set safety as a priority, accidents can and do happen. Unfortunately, knowing how to prevent workplace accidents isn’t a given and takes attention, time, and the right team to master. Even with laws and inspections, some businesses fall prey to mishap after another, causing personal injury and substantial liability. Whether you operate your business from an office or much more dangerous places like a construction site, you must pay careful attention to operations and potential dangers. Here are several ways to help your team be safer at work.
Ways To Prevent Workplace Accidents
Always Be Alert (Situational Awareness)
Busyness and slow times can both certainly affect anyone’s work performance. Having too much to do can create chaos and dysfunction, leaving you open to mistakes and problems. On the other hand, being slow can take away the drive to get things done well. One thing to watch out for is complacency and distractions like social media, phones, or socializing too much at work. As common as these are, they could lead to forgetfulness and accidents. Make sure you watch over things carefully at work. At the same time, make sure your employees are also alert and looking out for each other.
Provide Safety Protocols and Equipment
Make sure employees know exactly what is expected of them, as far as their performance and safety compliance. I highly recommend that you have a protocol in writing available to all employees. Additionally, to prevent workplace accidents, post reminders around the space to help them remember to pay attention or navigate potential danger effectively. This can be for simple things like cleaning the break room or more pressing things like wearing safety gear or following traffic patterns. You can also implement something similar to digital signage solutions for schools which assist with wayfinding.
Some jobs require the use of personal protective equipment to be safe, so make any applicable pieces available at all times. Hard hats, protective glasses, steel-toed shoes, earplugs, and similar items are some of the most notable items.
Ensure Proper Attire Is Worn
Personal protective equipment isn’t the only thing your employees might need to wear to stay safe. They’ll need clothing that is appropriate for their jobs and the environment. For example, some companies, in more dangerous industries, might need to use safe clothing from California Industrial Rubber or another type of protective clothing.
Another way to enforce greater safety and prevent workplace accidents is by assigning proper uniforms or having a dress code. Items like baggy or too skimpy clothes could pose safety risks if they work with tools, heat, or chemicals, for example.
Perform regular Safety Checks
While this might seem relatively basic, checking for safety hazards is one of the most important ways to make sure you, your employees, or your guests don’t get hurt. You’ll need to understand what could happen in your workplace and be on the lookout for them. Since dangers vary from workplace to workplace, you’ll have to put effort into identifying them. I recommend doing this regularly so you can catch and address any problems as they come up. This is a good task to delegate to a senior team member if you don’t have the time to do it yourself.
Educate Your Team
If employees don’t know the risks in your workplace, they are more likely to get hurt. Hold regular meetings to educate your employees about protocols, rules, industry standards, and anything you believe is relevant to workplace safety. Many companies offer incentive programs to motivate employees to be more aware and take precautions seriously. You could offer money, paid days off, or other gifts to those who remain accident-free for a certain timeframe.
Every employer is responsible for their employee safety at work. By using these ways to prevent workplace accidents, you can drastically reduce them. Checking for hazards, being alert, providing personal protective equipment, and similar strategies will all be helpful to minimize injuries. While they’ll involve a bit of effort, the reduction in workplace risks is more than worth it.
