10 Easy Ways to Reduce Accidents and Injuries in the Workplace

An injury in the workplace affects everyone. Not just the person requiring medical attention but also his or her colleagues, managers and the company.

No one wants to be responsible for causing an accident, or feel guilty for not reporting something unsafe. The good news is there are a few really simple steps that you can take to help reduce the chances of an accident or injury at your workplace.

1. Equip yourself with the Right Tools

No matter what type of work you do, having the right tools allows you to perform the job more efficiently. Safety equipment, or Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) is no exception. Hard hats, safety glasses and gloves offer protection for workers on all types of job sites. If you have a job that requires height work, customised equipment kits ensure you have quality safety products to protect you from injury or falls.

2. Keep your Work Area Clean

It sounds logical, but a clean work site can help prevent the simplest of injuries. Tripping on items or slipping on greasy surfaces can cause injury. A messy site can also impair your ability to use equipment safely.

3. Be Seen

Wearing high-visibility clothing ensures your co-workers can see you moving around on the site. When operating machinery, fluorescent clothing also helps make you easy to spot from a distance.

4. Protect yourself from Noise Exposure

Long-term exposure to high or even moderate levels of noise can cause permanent damage to your hearing. Worksites where noise levels reach 82dB or more must wear hearing protection, whether it be earplugs or earmuffs, or even a combination of both types. If your worksite allows for them, specialist suppliers such as Safe At Heights have a great selection of hearing protection. Everything from ear plugs to ear muffs. Even ear muffs fitted with FM radio.

5. Conduct Site Training

Site training is the ideal time to identify any potential hazards for injury. If you have seen any safety issues or unsafe behaviour, this is a good time to report them and discuss correct operating procedures with the site supervisor.

6. Protect yourself from Falling Objects

In addition to building sites, many other workplaces require hardhats to be worn by workers. Hardhats have come a long way from the hot and uncomfortable styles that were around 10 years ago, with ventilation just some of the improvements. Hardhats are available in many colours, as well as transparent and low-profile varieties.

7. Have a Safety Plan

Workplace Health & Safety is everyone’s responsibility and a Safe Method Work Statement (SMWS) is a requirement for construction sites.

8. Supervise New Staff

Remember how many new things there are to learn in a new job? Often, one of the last things new workers think of is safety. Supervision of new team members can help prevent potential accidents.

9. Use Mechanical Aids

Some of the most common workplace injuries are manual strains. When lifting or transporting heavy items, a mechanical aid reduces the stress on your body.

10. Communicate as a Team

Encourage staff members to look out for each other and openly communicate about being safe on the job. Feeling comfortable discussing a potential safety hazard with a supervisor or even another staff member is a huge benefit to the team.

There are many other ways of reducing injuries while on the job. Taking the time to implement small changes can save you from an accident or even a permanent injury. Keep your co-workers safe and be alert while at work – it’s for everyone’s benefit.

What are your simple steps for staying safe at work?