Accidents happen all the time at work, home and out and about. It is important to reduce the risk of accidents and injuries happening, especially in the workplace. The manufacturing and construction industry are exposed to far more risks than most. Employees interact with hazardous materials, manage heavy machinery and work at a height. Health and safety need to be a priority in every workplace – but particularly on high-risk worksites.
Here are a few ways you can prevent workplace injuries in your business.
Write a safety and wellness plan
Mistakes and accidents are far more likely to happen when there is not a plan in place. You need to approach every new machine and project with preparation. Carry out a risk assessment and make sure everyone knows how to behave on site. Accident prevention can make your workplace a safer place for everyone. Accidents can happen when an employee is not fully trained on how to use a machine. You need to make sure your workers are given appropriate jobs for their capabilities.
Educate employees
You need to train your employees in the correct health and safety standards. They should know how to follow safety measures and why they need to follow them. Hold training sessions on how to use machines and materials safely. Without proper training, your employees are more likely to make mistakes and injure themselves.
Provide PPE
Personal protective equipment is essential. These days PPE is used in most workplaces, from construction sites to office blocks. You need to make sure your team has access to high-quality PPE, including goggles, face masks, hard hats, safety shoes and earplugs. They should also know how to use PPE and when to wear it. For example, some projects may require them to wear goggles to protect their eyes from debris and harmful materials.
Zach Richman, group product manager of Milwaukee Tool said: “There has been a recent focus on the need for higher-level protection, across all PPE, going above what has been standard. We have seen an increased awareness on the importance of proper PPE and the protection it provides, leading to users making a larger upfront investment in PPE.
“For example, more than half of fatal work-related traumatic injuries are a result of falls, creating more mandates on climbing style helmets to keep workers safe. This growing trend in Type 2 Helmet adoption protects the user from top and side impact.”
Adequate staffing
Overworked staff are more likely to have an accident. Exhaustion can make them cut corners and work unsafely. Provide instructions for every project and keep them organised. A list of instructions should stop workers from taking shortcuts to complete the job ahead of schedule.
You need to hire enough staff for your present workload to keep everyone safe and healthy.
Keep it tidy
At the end of the workday, your team should clean up and tidy tools and loose materials away. A messy workplace can lead to unforeseen hazards, like loose wires on the floor or slippy surfaces. Keep it clean and remind everyone to stay alert.
Hold a refresher health and safety course to remind your team of the risks around them.
