10 Tips on How to Prevent or Minimise Workplace Accidents
Even the most minor of workplace accidents can have a significant impact on your business. The costs of lost productivity, low morale, the worker’s medical bills, and handling compensation paperwork can be high
However, you can avoid these losses by mitigating the chances of injury in your place of business. Below are ten tips on how to prevent injury and protect your employees.
1. Have A Safety And Wellness Plan
A secure work environment is founded on effective accident prevention measures guided by a robust wellness program. It should be a program covering all the employees’ safety and health needs while promoting the best behavioral practices and encouraging them to report any hazards.
2. Administer Pre-Placement Physicals
Some accidents are attributed to the inability or inexperience of performing physically for a job role or position. By screening prospective applicants, you will hire the appropriate candidates for each position based on their physical capabilities.
Back injuries are one of the most common workplace injuries caused by accidents. However, pre-placement physicals can determine that there may be an issue before an individual starts work and can prevent problems down the line. This would give a business a defence if such an injury were to occur. Learning how to prove a back injury at work will give you a better understanding of what is considered fodder for insurance.
3. Educate Your Workforce
Cultivation of safety standards among the workers and the management should be a continual thing. Train your workforce on the significance of adhering to safety measures, and this can include supplemental training in body-mechanics to keep the staff safe and reduce cases of stain-related injuries when moving or lifting things.
Cultivation of safety standards among the workers and the management should be a continual thing.
4. Identify Safety Vulnerabilities
The uniqueness of every business is why companies cannot have the same safety concerns. Nevertheless, there are the basics, which are a common factor and must be addressed. Therefore, research common accidents and come up with mitigative strategies that prevent them from happening.
5. Provide Protection Equipment
PPEs (Personal Protection Equipment) are essential and must be enforced at hiring and meeting. They also must be monitored continually. Furthermore, teach your workers how to properly use gloves, earplugs, goggles, earmuffs, face protection, safety shoes, and hard hats.
6. Adequate Staffing Levels
Overtime hours are often implemented when there are low staffing levels. The few employees available are thus overworked and start experiencing exhaustion, leading to them cutting corners to meet or exceed their targets. Hiring seasonal workers could be useful in addressing this and help prevent accidents related to exhaustion.
7. Discourage And Warn Against Shortcuts
Accidents will occur more often when the employees start skipping steps and cutting corners to complete tasks. Thus, give clear instructions on how they should always be organised to minimize the risk of mishaps.
8. Inspect And Maintain All Company Vehicles
Workplace-driving accidents cost employers roughly $60 billion annually, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Act. Regular inspections and maintenance of company vehicles are thus fundamental and should include comprehensive repairs.
9. Monitor Safety Measures
After training the workforce, reinforce the safety measures, ensuring they are implemented. The inspections can be done during routine education sessions, staff meetings, and general supervision. You can have a reward program for the employees who follow the set standards and stay injury-free for an extended period.
10. Maintain An Orderly Workplace
Poor housekeeping ushers in severe health and safety hazards. Being organised is an essential part of any practical housekeeping. The office layout should leave adequate room for foot-traffic, clean-up stations, and always be free of debris.
