Hundreds of thousands of accidents occur in workplaces every year – many of them fatal. The most common accidents include trips, slips, and falls, being hit by falling objects, and muscle strain caused by lifting heavy items. Business owners are responsible for the safety of their employees and need to adhere to Health and Safety regulations to make their workplace as safe as possible for their employees. Sometimes simple steps can be taken to limit the potential for accidents to occur. Here are 5 ways to keep your employees safe in the workplace.
Clean And Tidy
All employees should be encouraged to keep their workplace clean and free from clutter. Spilled liquids can cause slipping accidents, and files or books placed precariously on top of a cabinet or bookcase can fall on the head of a passer-by causing concussion or serious head injury. Clutter covering an important safety sign or blocking an entrance can lead to a severe mishap resulting in an employee seeking advice from injury lawyers and costing the business a significant amount of money in compensation.
Labels And Signs
Equipment should be labeled clearly, especially if you work in a place such as a chemistry laboratory where employees are using hazardous chemicals. Dangerous products should be labeled with details of their contents, how they should be stored, the expiry date, and what damage they can cause if not used properly.
Machinery should be labeled with signs telling of any danger they may cause, and areas with potential hazards should be labeled accordingly. If spillages have occurred or floor mopping is in progress, a sign must be placed near the liquid until the area has been cleaned and dried.
Training And Meetings
Employee health and safety training is paramount. Every new start should be issued with copies of all the company’s health and safety rules and trained in operating machinery and using dangerous substances. Some companies such as pharmaceutical research laboratories keep training records. An employee cannot perform a task or use a piece of equipment before getting signed off as confident by a senior member of staff. All staff should receive a full training session on how to lift heavy objects correctly to prevent muscle strain and back injuries.
Holding regular meetings will ensure that all staff members are on the same page and aware of any accidents or potential dangers in the workplace. Any accidents should be reported to management and recorded in an accident and incident book.
Proper Equipment
Workers need the right tools for the job. You wouldn’t hammer a nail into a wall with a screwdriver! Cutting corners by buying inferior or substitute products can put people in danger and cause the standard of work to deteriorate. Electrical equipment should be safety tested regularly for obvious reasons.
Safety Clothes
All employees should be provided with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) if the job requires it. Safety hats, metal toe-capped safety shoes, masks, biohazard suits, gloves, safety glasses, ear defenders, and respirators are examples of PPE. Staff must be adequately trained in how to wear the equipment and wear it when required.
