Safety in the workplace is imperative to any profitable business, regardless of the environment. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, 4,600 workers experienced fatal injuries in 2012. In 2014, 4,821 workers were killed on the job, which averaged out to over 92 workers a week or more than 13 worker deaths each day.
The majority of these workplace accidents involved forklifts, falls, ladders, machinery, electrical work, and hazardous energy. Regardless of the cause, each injury carries a bevy of financial and social costs, which means the lack of proper safety practices is dangerous as well as expensive.
When you implement proper safety practices and create a culture of safety, you can save your organization countless dollars. Continue reading to learn a few important workplace safety practices you can implement without breaking the bank.
Staff Training
One of the key elements used to improve workplace safety is through staff training. Staff training programs simplify safety goals and reiterate the best-practice procedure. Most importantly, training programs disseminate this information and make it accessible to everyone.
Providing staff training could be as simple as outlining the proper way to use equipment. No matter how experienced or skilled a worker is in a certain area, everyone can benefit from a refresher course. Remember, safety training is an activator, it level sets and calibrates everyone on what they should be doing. There is more work to instill safe behaviors but training is the place to start.
Provide Workers with the Right Tools and Resources
It's imperative to provide your workers with the right tools and equipment for their job. Considering natural human drive to get it done quickly, most workers will risk taking a shortcut or using the wrong tool to complete a task in as little time as possible.
For example, if you give your workers a step ladder when they need a scaffold, you will almost guarantee an accident. In addition to the right tools for the job, you should also provide them with all the necessary personal safety equipment, such as safety glasses, helmets, steel toe boots, safety devices, etc.
If you fail to do so, you can't expect them to take reasonable precautions. The cost of safety glasses or steel-toed boots pales in comparison to the cost of trauma surgery.
Continually Improve Workplace Safety
Workplace safety isn't a static thing, and there's always room for improvement. As a result, it's imperative to always brainstorm with your workers to find innovative methods to achieve a higher level of safety. Whether it's modifying the workplace safety checklist , performing safety observations with your people or performing systematic maintenance on the equipment, it's vital to always make strides in workplace safety.
Ensure a Clean House
Messy areas or departments in disarray breed the potential for injuries and falls. For instance, empty boxes lying around create fall hazards, while unattended oil spills create slip hazards. Ensure the workplace is as clean as possible to boost safety for all.
However, a clean workplace is everyone's responsibility. It's important all employees understand the overwhelming value of a tidy workspace and the value of keeping it clean.
Recognize Safety
In today's workforce, it's highly common to reward individuals or groups that achieve high production targets. However, this may not be the most effective practice for improving workplace safety. Praising team members who complete a job by whatever it takes may foster a culture that devalues safety.
Instead, the best way to improve workplace safety is to recognize individuals who consistently deliver efficient work and follow all rules of safety. Placing an emphasis on safety over productivity is one way to reward the method of achievement instead of the end result.
Be careful not to provide incentives for periods with no injuries. Contrary to the intentions, this type of safety incentive program actually encourages zero reporting, which could increase the likelihood of injuries.
Provide Maintenance on All Equipment and Machines
Properly functioning equipment, tools, and machines are all essential ingredients to the recipe for success. Failing to properly maintain machines and equipment will cause these items to fail or not work as intended.
Failed equipment decreases production and efficiency due to the time spent on repairs. Most importantly, it places workers at risk anytime they are using improperly maintained or malfunctioning equipment.
Get Employees Involved in the Process
It's essential to involve your employees in the safety process. This will help them focus on their individual role in the overall success of the organization. By involving them in the safety process, they will have a greater level of latitude on how to accomplish their jobs. Empower them to solve problems and come up with improvements.
Contact Premier Safety Partners to Improve Workplace Safety
Premier Safety Partner offers an extensive list of health and safety-related services to bolster your organization. We have worked with several companies across countless industries. Regardless of the company or industry, we have continually delivered cutting-edge safety solutions that work.
Contact Premier Safety Partners today to improve your workplace safety.
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