Although the employer and employee may not always agree on things such as a pay raise, they agree on many points, like the importance of safety. Everyone wants to take extra precautions to avoid safety incidents since nobody wants to get hurt.
Moreover, most companies are unwilling to create allowances for mishaps that would necessitate paying injured employees. As a result, they are keen on taking precautions.
However, there is a difference between wanting to prevent and knowing how to avoid workplace safety events. So, how may workplace safety incidents be prevented? Keep reading this article as we discuss ways workplace safety incidents can be easily avoided. These include:
- Effective safety training
Training employees about workplace safety must be the first step in preventing safety issues. Whether it is a forklift training course or a first aid course, every employee needs to acquire the required safety skills. In actuality, this is a legal necessity for all companies. Every company must guarantee the efficacy of whatever safety instruction they offer. Some safety training is superficial and only covers checklists and box-ticking exercises. Some are out of date. Therefore, picking the appropriate safety courses is essential.
The Working Safely Course, which covers safety fundamentals, should be required of new hires who have never taken a safety course or had any safety training.
- Familiarize yourself with the surroundings.
While working, you must always be aware of your surroundings. Familiarize yourself with your workplace. Be aware of hazards such as slippery surfaces or objects that could trip you up. When cleaners splatter soapy water on the floor, is the “Wet Floor” sign in place? Where is the emergency door? Where is the fire extinguisher?
- Always use Personal Protective Equipment [PPE]
Always use the safety gear or personal protective equipment (PPE) recommended for the task. Don’t forget to wear protective gear, such as a safety harness, helmet, safety shoes, dust masks, gloves, or safety goggles, since these keep you safe and secure while working.
Since no accidents have occurred there, a worker may be persuaded to believe that wearing a helmet is pointless after years of wearing one without experiencing its benefits. That is one mistake that some employees make.
- Report hazards immediately
When you notice a hazard, don’t remain quiet. Instead, go straight to the safety champion for your work division or to whom you should report them. Anything that can cause risks should be reported right away. For example, any spill or leak needs to be notified.
Never give up, even if your coworkers ridicule you by dubbing you a “hazards detective.” This can occasionally occur when a worker makes it their mission never to miss a chance to alert safety personnel to hazards.
Being a “hazards detective” is preferable to an accident victim who is lying in a hospital bed telling reporters how the accident may have been prevented.
- Periodic inspections
Equipment and machinery failures can result in accidents. You’ve read or heard about factory explosions that have killed people. Boilers and pressure tanks are examples of time bombs. Regular inspections, however, can stop these kinds of incidents. Inspections allow for the early detection and repair of minor leaks or emerging issues.