The latest data on global workplace injury and illnesses reveal that hazardous substances alone claim the lives of about 651,279 workers every year, according to the International Labor Organization. Many businesses in the industrial sector tend to implement low standard safety measures. They believe doing so gives them more time to pay attention to critical business elements. What most employers don’t know is that poor safety conditions at work results in injuries, low productivity, medical expenses, lawsuits and reputation damage. Besides, creating a safe workplace isn’t expensive or complicated. All you need to do is promote a positive safety culture and educate employees on how to stay safe at work. Below are 4 essential industrial workplace safety tips for employers.
Create An Emergency Plan
Creating an emergency plan for your business should be a top priority because accidents can occur anytime, even in a work environment that seems safe. Ensure your safety program outlines the procedures workers should follow when handling or reporting emergencies. It should also have the contact details of first responders to ensure workers get help quickly when an accident occurs. In addition to developing an emergency plan, hold meetings with your employees regularly to discuss potential hazards and brainstorm practical solutions. Also, make sure to review existing safety tips workers should follow in case of a fire, storm, earthquake or other potential disasters.
Provide Lifting Equipment
Manual lifting of heavy items is the leading cause of back and neck injuries in the workplace. Therefore, provide your staff with machinery or equipment like cranes, conveyor belts, wheelbarrows, carts, and forklifts. Doing so helps reduce heavy lifting related injuries because employees can lift large boxes of products and other items safely and more efficiently. Additionally, train your employees how to use lifting equipment correctly to avoid speeding, being run over or injured by tipping vehicles, or caught in between a machine.
Prioritize Regular Maintenance of Machinery And Tools
Maintaining workplace machinery and tools is crucial for preventing malfunctions. Besides reducing efficiency, malfunctioning equipment threatens the safety and well-being of workers. For instance, driving forklifts with faulty brakes or suspension increases the risk of workers crashing. In most cases, employees seek forklift accident help from personal injury attorneys if the crash occurred due to poor or a lack of proper maintenance. To avoid injuries and legal implications, perform regular maintenance checks as per manufacturer’s advice. This includes inspecting all machinery parts, including engines, power trains, brakes, suspension, tires, and other moving parts. And then make adjustments, change oils, replace or repair faulty parts.
Don’t Forget Safety Training
As an employer, focus on creating a safety culture at the workplace. And the best way to achieve positive results is by providing employees with safety training. Make sure your employees learn and understand safety and health guidelines and best practices. That way, they can detect potential hazards and report them before they occur to reduce accidents.
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Creating a safe and healthy work environment is crucial. In addition to protecting your workers against injuries, workplace safety saves you a lot of money and increases productivity. Ideally, fewer accident claims against your business, lower your insurance rate and boost your company’s reputation.
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