Workplace injuries are a real threat to everyone – both the worker and their families. If not treated, they can take more than just a toll on the employee, but also cost the company he or she works for money in compensation and decreased productivity.
Here are 9 tips that can help both workers and employers stay safe.
1. Create a safety-first culture
Remember that safety should be a priority. It’s easy to get wrapped up in the daily grind of getting work done, but it is important to remember that safety comes first – even if things need to be slowed down.
An accident will cost the company more than just the time and money spent on treating the injured employee; they may have to pay out a second time if workers’ compensation claims are made.
2. Employees should be well-trained before using any equipment
Make sure that each employee knows how to use all of the equipment on their job in case they have to take over for someone else.
Making sure that everyone is trained and up-to-date with safety standards not only helps keep employees safe, but also makes them feel confident.
3. Follow OSHA’s safety rules
Take necessary precautions when working with tools and safety equipment. OSHA rules vary from state to state, but there are several things that need to be followed on every job no matter where you work.
Have eye protection available at all times; using earplugs, especially for employees who use power tools on a near-daily basis; and make sure that everyone knows not to use damaged equipment.
4. Good lighting is more important than you think
Make sure there is adequate lighting. It’s just as important in an office setting as it is on construction or manufacturing jobsites, especially for tasks like machine maintenance.
Remember to check the lightbulbs frequently and change them when needed; most companies will provide a maintenance schedule for lightbulbs so that the issue doesn’t become an accident waiting to happen.
5. Use appropriate lifting techniques
Remember, not only is it a core part of OSHA standards; it’s also common sense. Lifting heavy equipment or packages incorrectly can lead to severe injury – especially for those with back problems or who are overweight.
6. Be ready for any emergency
Make sure everyone knows how to react in case of an emergency and understand how their jobs relate to safety in general (knowing where fire extinguishers are kept, etc.).
7. Encourage communication
Encourage workers to communicate with one another about safety issues and concerns as they arise- both at work and outside of the workplace (at home).
Workers tend to feel more safe if their opinion matters, and will often be more willing to come forward if they feel like someone is listening.
8. Situational awareness is important
not just at work but outside of the workplace as well. Know where you are going and make sure it is a safe place to both walk and park. Use common sense when assessing your surroundings – especially at night or in crowded areas (like airports).
9. Frequent breaks
Take frequent breaks during long shifts and keep hydrated. OSHA doesn’t require water stations on all jobsites because it isn’t cost-effective for most small businesses, but there’s little doubt that staying hydrated helps with alertness and overall health – even when working indoors.
What makes a good safety manager?
A good safety manager is someone who takes their responsibilities very seriously; they put the needs of their employees and workplace first, but never at the expense of productivity.
They are accessible and approachable, but not to the point of allowing an entire day’s worth of work-production to be halted because they were caught in a conversation.
They should also know how and when to delegate; there is no way that someone can do everything themselves, so being able to trust other employees is important.
A good safety manager knows which tasks can be done by others without supervision and which ones need hands-on management every step of the way.
In addition, they have an understanding of what each job entails so that any necessary equipment or safety standards will be enforced properly; providing this kind of information will help keep employee morale up while helping everyone stay safe on the job.
A true sign of a good safety manager is someone who is available when needed and consistently shows that they care about the well-being of their employees.