Nobody comes to work to get injured. But Bureau of U.S. Labor Statistics shows over 5,333 work-related fatalities were reported in 2019. That’s actually a 2-percent rise from the year before that. Mostly, workers aged 55 and up constitute the largest number of fatalities, about 2,005. There were also deaths by suicide (307) and construction industry deaths (1,061). If you sum it all up, you have a worker dying every 99 minutes in America.
It’s alarming, to say the least. Interestingly, many of these deaths could have been prevented.
Making sure that the workplace is a safe place to work is paramount. But unless it’s done with everyone on board, it’s surely an uphill climb. The safest working environments happen only when workers from the top to the bottom of the organisation adhere to safety protocols. And work together to help one another achieve a zero-injury workplace.
Below are safety pointers to put your organisation to a great start.
Never Accept Shortcut Procedures
Sometimes, when we are in a hurry, we circumvent procedures. This can lead to accidents. Many personnel who have dealt with heavy equipment knows this. Hydraulic-related injuries, for one, are often related to lack of training. When safety precautions are not observed, things can get ugly pretty fast. Far too often, the improper procedures in the operation of these mechanical giants can lead to bruises, abrasions, and cuts.
Additionally, management must ensure machines used at work are properly maintained regularly. When both workers and management communicate the presence of possible hazards when they manifest, lives are saved.
Wear Protective Equipment at All Times
Whether you’re working in the mines or an industrial facility, protective wear is a must. Wearing PPE or Personal Protective Equipment may take time, but it’s there for your protection. So it doesn’t matter if it’s as small a protocol as wearing earplugs or wearing bulky chemical suits. Making sure you put on protective wear is putting a priority on your safety.
By the same token, this is where a personalized high-visibility vest comes in handy. By ensuring that a worker is easily identifiable at all times., these vests make facilitate safety. What’s more, this can translate to greater efficiency at work. Small wonder that this wear has become standard in airports, rescue operations, construction, and traffic control, to name a few.
Be Aware of Your Surroundings
There’s no such thing as a zero-risk workplace. Even the office has its inherent risks. For one, office work can lead to bad posture, which, if uncorrected, can lead to health issues. Top of the list: backache and neck ache.
It’s important for everyone working to be constantly aware of his working environment. Accidental fires often happen when combustible materials are lying around, for instance. Knowing inherent risks at work first-hand can save you the trouble.
This is especially true for industrial workers and construction workers. Conveyor belts, for example, can pose a risk if you’re not too careful.
Report Safety Hazards ASAP
Communication is key to a safe working place. It’s why keeping an open line between the admin and the workforce is important. That’s the best way to stop risky conditions from sabotaging work. And that means you must report as soon as possible such work threats. Not doing so can be disastrous.
Additionally, supervisors are legally obliged to respond when you do report a work-related risk. He has to ensure a safe working environment by removing possible hazards.
When everyone is working together towards the same goal of safety, risks may not be totally eradicated. But it will surely be put to the utmost minimum. And everyone is safer thereafter.