The Top 7 Workplace Safety Tips
, by Ed Stone, 10 min reading time
Therefore, taking the time to inform your workers of workplace safety rules and implementing processes like Corporate Footwear Programs could make the difference between a fatal error and a faultless workday.
Below are the top 7 workplace safety tips that your employees and you deserve to know. Follow these procedures to keep you and your employees safe.
1. Remember the Risks
To reduce the possibility of onsite injuries or illnesses, you must first remain mindful of your surroundings at all times and knowledgeable about potential risks. This step is crucial to preventing workplace accidents. In other words, if you’re working in the restaurant industry, understand that slipping is one of the biggest risks involved. This will direct you to shop for the correct footwear like men’s restaurant shoes or women’s slip-resistant shoes. Once you are familiar with the hazards and risks of your worksite, you will be able to avoid them more easily.
These are some available resources for employers to guarantee workers’ safety and health:
- Learn About OSHA — Find out, “what is OHSA?” and how it affects your business.
- OSHA Violations — Get a breakdown of OSHA violations and how to avoid penalties.
- Creating & Implementing a Health & Safety Program — Access a guide on how to build your workplace safety program to secure workplace health and safety.
By framing your business around safety, you can ensure fewer workplace accidents and injuries occur.
2. Ensure Employee Training
Every position, regardless of industry, requires some form of training. Each employee should be given instructions on when and how to use specific equipment or machinery. Uninformed individuals should never be allowed or expected to operate heavy machinery.
Sometimes, training is not sufficient to engage in high-risk tasks. Specific conditions may even require a license which will need to be renewed regularly. Additionally, there are multiple categories of occupation licensing with terms of eligibility. Only use tools and machinery that you are authorized to do so.
For example, the License to Perform High-Risk Work is needed to handle various equipment and machinery like:
- Boilers
- Cranes
- Dogging
- Elevating platforms
- Forklifts
- Hoists
- Reach stackers
- Scaffolds
Moreover, training should be provided for new hires, as well as to refresh and reteach policies and procedures. And, when there are dangerous materials, there must be personnel that have been trained to administer first aid.
First Aid
Accidents happen, despite the most thorough safety training and programs. So, employees must be prepared in the event of an incident.
Here are general recommendations for management:
- Train employees as First Aid Providers...
- First Aid Providers are tasked with the duty to administer care in case of emergency.
- A useful tip is to have one Provider per 50 workers in a low-risk setting and one Provider per 25 workers in a high-risk setting.
- Provide employees with access to First Aid Kits and First Aid Providers.
- Corporate vehicles must be equipped with special, work-specific First Aid Kits.
- Strategically place First Aid Kits closest to the locations where injuries are most likely to occur.
Emergency Training
Should an emergency occur, natural or a result of human error, you should be knowledgeable about what protocol to follow. In addition to the emergency management procedure, be sure to complete any mandatory Emergency Response and Evacuation Training. You should also ensure that the exits and pathways are accessible by never blocking them with items. And, if applicable, know where the emergency equipment shutdown is located.
Having prior knowledge of what actions to take can help prevent you from freezing or panicking in times of need.
Take action and prepare in advance—this is the key to employee safety.3. Don’t Skip Safety
While time may be money, health is infinitely more valuable. However tempting, workers should never take shortcuts.
Skipping a step or using improper tools, like not using slip-resistant shoes for men and women, can increase the chance of a workplace injury occurring. Don’t risk employee safety by cutting corners. Attempting to bypass a step might even set you and your company’s wallet back several steps.
Protocol is in place for a reason—your wellness. Remember that your well-being is more valuable than meeting a quota.
4. Lift Safely
In an occupation that requires lifting, there’s also a proper method that will protect you from injury. Review the following tips to prevent improper technique and a resulting injury:
- Check the weight of the item before attempting to lift it entirely.
- Use both of your hands to lift heavy objects.
- Do not bend at the waist and lift but rather stoop lowly at your feet with your back straight.
- Use your thighs to carry the weight.
- Pick it up slowly and keep it closer to your body to ease the burden.
If heavy-lifting is a regular part of your work routine or your back is sensitive to strain, consider using a back brace.
And, don’t forget that if it’s too heavy, ask for assistance!
The OSHA lifting equation established 51 pounds as the maximum weight for manual lifting.
So, don’t risk injury or attempt to save time by overexerting yourself. The added time to use mechanical aids will save you more time than you might need for recovery.
Ergonomic Furniture
In addition to hefty hauling, you can avoid movements that will put tension on your body. Even in an office setting, you can apply ergonomics to refrain from slouching, contorting, or falling. Ergonomics entails arranging the working environment to make it conducive to safe and productive working habits.
Place your body’s needs at the forefront by adjusting the height of your keyboard and desk, for example. Doing so can prevent back, neck, shoulder, and wrist strain. And, picking a quality, comfortable chair can protect your posture and allow for better circulation.
In other words, adjust anything that you can so you can ward off workplace injuries like unneeded strain, uncomfortable body placement, and posture.
5. Regular Breaks
Not only is rest mandated by OSHA, but it is beneficial for all parties involved. Exhaustion can result in a higher number of oversights and an increased probability of incidents. OSHA estimates that employers lose $136.4 billion annually from fatigue-related loss of productivity. Mental strain can negatively impact performance as much as a physical injury might.
Fatigue can result in:
- Lack of motivation
- Impaired decision making
- Inability to concentrate
- Irritability
- Reduced alertness
- Sleepiness
The simple act of getting up and moving around for a few minutes each hour can minimize mistakes due to weariness. An occasional breather benefits everyone and refreshes the mind.
6. Report Issues
Create a safe workplace for yourself and your coworkers by reporting unsafe conditions to your supervisors. It’s imperative to prevent accidents and to notify the necessary parties as soon as you become aware of the issue(s).
On the other end, employers should encourage open and honest communication among workers. Doing so will allow them to feel comfortable to bring concerns up so that both parties will be able to benefit from improvements. Furthermore, promoting a caring and approachable atmosphere will improve performance, employee retention, and business as a whole.
7. Purchase Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Corporate Program
Depending on your industry, you will need different protective gear. When properly fitted and worn, PPE can minimize the risk of injury or the extent of the damage. For example, industrial uniforms should usually provide fire protection, UV protection, and more.
Each working environment is unique, and you should wear the recommended safety equipment recommended for each activity, such as:
- Antibacterial materials
- Face mask
- Hard Hats
- Non-slip footwear
- Seat belts
- Safety goggles
- Safety harnesses
- Choose the Best Work Shoes
Intensive or not, each occupation will require mobility. Resultantly, every employee needs supportive and safe footwear. As not every tool functions for every task, not every shoe is right for every job. Especially considering the Bureau of Labor Statistics discovered that, on average, 4.8 people per 1,000 full-time employees are missing work due to foot injury.
75% of workplace foot injuries are due to improper footwear. Thankfully, Boot World has an extensive selection of safety shoes in a variety of styles, sizes, and colors. But, most importantly, you can finally own a pair of shoes that were intended to endure heavy-duty wear and protect workers from their environment.
Boot World Corporate Footwear Program
Don’t join the 44.5 million that suffered injuries from slips, trips, and stumbles. Select the shoe with the quality that will maximize your performance and safety on your worksite, features including:
- Supportive insoles
- Slip-resistant soles
- Insulation
- Safety toe shoes
- Waterproof or water-resistant material
There’s no excuse, particularly with Boot World’s Mobile Footwear Store. No one will have to expend extra energy searching for the right fit. Experts will have each employee equipped with the proper size and style appropriate for their job.
It doesn’t end there. With the discount, voucher program, and payment plans, you don’t have to compromise on your wellness any longer.
Preparation is the Best Prevention
Accidents may occur. But, with proper safety training, you minimize the probability of their occurrence. By equipping workers with knowledge on appropriate conduct before, during, and after an incident, you also reduce the potential severity of the repercussions.
Additionally, with the right equipment, you are protected from the get-go. Put your best foot forward with Boot World.
These safety tips secure your workers’ physical well-being and effectively enable the success of a more efficient and positive work environment. After all, your workers’ wellness is inextricably linked to your own. Safeguard your business’s success and create a safer workplace today.
Sources:
- ALSCO. 17 Workplace Safety Tips to Share with Your Employees. https://www.alsco.com.au/2016/11/all-business-and-companies-must-have-workplace-safety-tips-for-employees/
- Arbill. Top 10 Workplace Safety Tips Every Employee Should Know. https://www.arbill.com/arbill-safety-blog/arbill-safety-bid-182469-top-10-workplace-safety-tips-every-employee-should-know
- Connecteam. 12 Workplace Safety Tips Every Employee Should Know in 2020. https://connecteam.com/workplace-safety-tips/
- ESafety. 8 Workplace Safety Tips Employees Should Know. https://www.esafety.com/8-workplace-safety-tips-employees-should-know/
- OSHA. Long Work Hours, Extended or Irregular Shifts, and Worker Fatigue. https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/workerfatigue/hazards.html
- Safework SNW. High Risk Work Licenses. https://www.safework.nsw.gov.au/licences-and-registrations/licences/high-risk-work-licences
- SFM. Top 7 Workplace Safety Tips. https://www.sfmic.com/top-7-workplace-safety-tips/
- Victoria State Government.10 Tips for Work Safety. https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/ten-tips/10-tips-for-work-safety
Reviewed By:
Ed Stone brings over 45 years of footwear knowledge and passion to his role as President of Boot World, a family-owned company and an industry leader in safety and occupational footwear. A second generation "shoe dog” Ed's footwear knowledge is unparalleled, serving as an informal advisor for some of the worlds largest footwear brands including Wolverine, Timberland PRO, and Reebok Works.
A lifelong Southern California resident, and ardent conservationist, Ed enjoys hiking and open water swimming.