A healthy and efficient workforce is paramount for business owners to keep operations running smoothly, yet injury in the workplace is all too common. According to the
National Safety Council,
a worker is injured on the job every seven seconds. Prioritizing occupational health is essential, not only to reduce the risk of workplace injuries, but also to lower your workers’ compensation rates and limit violations for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Follow these workplace safety tips to build a more secure workplace for your company.
Do Educate Your Workforce
No matter how many safety guidelines and practices you set, they’ll do no good if your employees aren’t aware or don’t understand them. Take the time to educate your workforce—not just new hires—to ensure they are fully aware and understand the guidelines you have in place. A quick refresher course on
workplace safety for employees never hurt anyone. Ongoing safety training supports a strong occupational health culture and helps reinforce critical protocols across all levels of staff.
Don’t Take Shortcuts on Procedures
Workplace procedures exist to protect employees and maintain occupational health standards. While it may seem like a good idea at the time to skip a couple steps to speed up production, if it results in an injury, production will only be slowed down. In 2017, the
National Safety Council reported
that 104 million production days were lost due to work-related injuries. It’s critical that employees follow procedures—and supervisors and managers enforce protocol as a standard operating procedure at all times.
Do Be Aware of Your Surroundings
Whether it’s from contact with heavy machinery or slipping on wet floors in the office, every job can present some dangers. The
National Safety Council also found that the most common workplace injuries are the result of overexertion, contact with objects and equipment, and slips, trips, and falls. Promoting environmental awareness is the cornerstone of occupational health and safety.
Make sure workers are aware of their surroundings. One of the top safety violations reported to
OSHA is a lack of warning signs and labels. Having proper signage in place, like “Watch for Falling Objects” or “Caution Wet Floors,” can help workers become more aware of any potential dangers in their environment.
Don’t Be Quiet About Unsafe Conditions
It’s important to take a proactive approach to workplace safety. Your employees are the eyes and ears of your workplace. Promote a culture where employees feel comfortable speaking up about safety concerns. This kind of proactive reporting supports both compliance and occupational health by addressing small hazards before they escalate into serious problems. After all, it’s in your best interest as an employer to correct safety issues as they arise, rather than face an OHSA violation and/or a workers’ compensation claim later.
Do Encourage Regular Breaks
In a culture that often promotes workaholic tendencies, it’s important to give and encourage employees to take regular breaks. Tired workers are more prone to injuries, as they become less aware of their surroundings. Data from the
National Health Interview Survey found that injuries occur over three times more often to workers who sleep fewer than five hours per night.
While there is no federal requirement for breaks or meal periods under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA),
some states like Illinois and New York do require it. Regardless of your location, all employers should encourage workers to take breaks, which includes not eating lunch at a desk. Breaks are an important component of any occupational health strategy, especially when paired with scheduling physically demanding tasks for the start of a shift , when your employees are most alert.
Don’t Forgo Drug Testing
It can be a tough pill to swallow but working under the influence is more common than you may think. A
Hazelden Foundation survey found that more than 60 percent of adults know people who have gone to work under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Similar to fatigue, when a worker’s ability to exercise judgement, coordination, motor control, concentration, and alertness is compromised, workplace injury is bound to happen. According to the
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA), employees who abuse alcohol or drugs are over three times more likely to be involved in a workplace accident.
We’ve seen it happen to employers firsthand,
resulting in ugly battles over workers’ compensation claims. Ongoing drug testing is a surefire way to reinforce occupational health and safety measures and protect your business and workforce.
Do Wear Protective Equipment
Personal protective equipment (PPE) is a critical defense against injury and is a fundamental element of occupational health practices. Whether it’s eye protection, a hard hat, or a respirator, PPE must be worn when necessary. This may sound like a no-brainer, but the majority of OSHA violations involve a lack of protection, whether it’s fall protection or eye and face protection. It’s up to facility managers and business owners to enforce that all workers wear the proper protective gear and that any protective equipment is in place before tasks are carried out.
Don’t Block Emergency Exits
In case of an emergency, it’s important to have quick and easy access to exits. Even if it’s only for a few minutes, never place anything—ladders, forklifts, boxes, anything—in front of an emergency exit door. Furthermore, ensure pathways to the equipment for emergency shutoffs are clear in case you need to immediately stop them from functioning. These practices are basic but vital to maintaining occupational health and safety in crisis situations.
Do Ask for Help
It’s important for business owners to understand the proper safety precautions needed for their workplace.
Group Management Services can help with
onsite consulting, jobsite inspections, accident and injury investigations, workplace safety training, and education to make sure your workplace is a safe environment for employees. We help you create and maintain a workplace built around occupational health best practices.
As you think about ways to keep operations running smoothly, you might also want to think about other ways you can make your workplace simpler, safer, and stronger. GMS offers
payroll,
risk management, and
human resources services to help keep your business running smoothly all through the year.
Contact GMS today to talk with one of our experts about how you can ensure employee safety at your workplace.
