Some safety hazards are present in every workplace, even a business office. It is important for employers to note potential dangers and to take steps to prevent worker injuries. The following safety tips can help you keep your employees safe at work.
Keep Clutter Cleared Away
An accumulation of clutter can not only make your workplace less appealing but can also make it more dangerous. Boxes, broken furniture, unused equipment, and other objects scattered around the workplace can cause employees to trip and fall.
Train Workers to Use Tools Properly
Whether it is an electric stapler or a jackhammer, tools, and equipment in the workplace should only be used by employees who are properly trained in their operation. Using tools properly helps prevent injuries. Before allowing employees to operate tools or equipment, make sure they receive the proper training.
Make a Rule Against Moving Heavy Objects By Hand
Lifting heavy equipment or materials can cause injuries, including pulled muscles, back sprains, and wrist, elbow, and spinal injuries. Instruct your workers to use wheelbarrows or forklifts to move heavy items to prevent strain and injuries.
Provide the Proper PPE and Insist Employees Use It
Personal protective equipment (PPE) consists of protective clothing, goggles, helmets, or equipment designed to protect employees from injury or infection. PPE is used to protect workers from physical, electrical, chemical, and heat hazards and from biohazards and airborne particles. Employers are responsible for performing hazard assessments, identifying and providing appropriate PPE, training employees on its use, maintaining and/or replacing it, and periodically reviewing its effectiveness, as stated by OSHA.
Have Employees Take Regular Breaks
Breaks allow workers to give their bodies a rest from the tasks they have been performing. If someone is working at a computer, a break provides the opportunity to look away from the screen to help avoid eye strain. When they return from breaks, employees can focus better with a higher level of concentration.
Regularly Inspect the Workplace for Hazards
Do a walkthrough of the workplace on a regular basis to spot any hazards that could potentially injure employees. Look for spills or leaks that could cause slip-and-fall accidents and items in walkways that workers could trip over. Note whether the appropriate safety equipment is available for each task and inspect its condition.
Prepare for Emergencies
Make sure emergency exits are clear, uncluttered, and easily accessible in case of an emergency. Locate the first aid kits and know which employees are trained to administer first aid in case of an accident or injury. Establish emergency procedures for fires, floods, earthquakes, tornados, and other perils.
Have the Right Insurance Coverage to Protect Your Employees
Employers are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance. These policies cover workers’ medical expenses associated with workplace injuries and illnesses and reimburse them for a portion of their lost wages. They also provide survivor benefits for family members of workers killed on the job. Our experienced agent can help you find the best available rates for a workers’ compensation policy.