Any standard workplace, if not properly maintained, can be one of the most dangerous areas for employees. This danger is most often found in the simplest of mishaps. If something wasn’t where it was supposed to be —as simple as this may sound— it could become an instant hazard. If any machinery wasn’t properly maintained or cared for, it runs the risk of malfunctioning. With over 124 million workers nationwide being covered by the workers’ compensation system, workplace safety is a greater concern than ever. Continue reading for some ways to keep your employees safe from common workplace injuries.
Standard Safety Conventions
Did you know that most workplace injuries are easily avoidable? With standard safety measures and procedures in place, employees can greatly reduce the risk of injuries in the workplace. Of course, safety measures aren’t effective if they are not adhered to, so developing a method to succinctly communicate and properly effectuate these regulations should take significant precedence. Fostering workplace environments that encourage employees to hold their peers accountable to safety protocols will help contribute to the effectiveness of said protocols.
Clear Workspaces
Most of the workplace injuries come from insufficient lighting, which may cause trips or minor slips, which can only be aggravated by poor placement of furniture, such as chairs or benches. It’s best to keep frequently used walkways free from any obstructions, especially if tasks involve employees carrying or moving cumbersome objects.
It’s also wise to promote a work culture where each employee does their part to maintain work areas clear. This helps not only to prevent workplace injuries but also to encourage respect and care for the safety of fellow employees.
Employee Wellness
Apart from the usual safety guidelines, employees should be informed about methods of self-improvement that are suitable for the workplace environment. Encourage your employees to strive toward personal wellness by offering resources to help them learn and practice healthy habits.
One example could be providing healthy snacks in the workplace kitchen (a.k.a “break room”) to promote wholesome nutrition habits. Overall, if you can lead your employees to care for their wellness, they’ll operate at peak performance more often. Staff will be more attentive to their surroundings which will most likely lead to fewer workplace mishaps that cause injury and impedes workplace productivity.