It doesn’t matter where you go or what you do, there is always the risk that you’ll have an accident. However, the workplace continues to be one of the most dangerous places for many people.
There were 174 fatalities in 2019 as a direct result of workplace accidents. Of course, there were thousands more accidents where employees didn’t die. Some made full recoveries, others did not.
While not all accidents are avoidable, many can be averted by following simple accident prevention rules.
Be Alert
Many accidents are the result of people not paying attention. This could be because of distractions, tiredness, or even that sluggish, after dinner, feel.
The key to safety in the workplace is for every employee to feel energized and alert. This reduces the risk of mistakes being made that could injure or kill someone.
Make sure employees have plenty of breaks and allow them that extra coffee, it can make a huge difference to their alertness.
The Right Gear
The biggest percentage of accidents at work involve moving vehicles. One of the best ways to prevent this from happening and to reduce the risk of injury is to get the right gear. Whether you’re looking for workwear Wollongong or the best hi-visibility vests, having the right gear and making sure your employees use it, can make a huge difference to the accident rate in your workplace.
The right gear includes uniforms to identify workers and safety gear to protect them, in case an accident does happen.
Never Rush
There are many reasons why employees feel the need to rush, production deadlines, targets, even a desire to get home. Unfortunately, rushing means a lack of attention to detail. This can affect the quality of the finished product and is likely to increase the risk of an accident happening.
Employers should focus on ensuring every employee has enough time to do the job properly. If you want to create targets, base them on quality rather than quantity. This will help to ensure the employees take their time and do the job properly.
Risk Assessments
It’s imperative that every employer undertakes regular risk assessments. The purpose of these documents is to assess the risk attached to completing a specific job. Once the risk is known it is possible to create ways of mitigating that risk.
Employees need to be aware of the actions they should take and the consequence of not following the risk assessment instructions. When the instructions have followed the risk of accidents is dramatically reduced.
Training
It should be obvious that training is essential. This is training in the job, in the procedures, and in what to do if something goes wrong. Properly trained staff are less likely to have an accident and more likely to spot potential issues.
Training all staff properly helps to ensure your workforce is capable of the job it’s doing and is aware of the risks, making the chances of an accident happening dramatically less.
Don’t forget the importance of having emergency procedures. These will allow employees to professionally and safely handle any situation.
