5 Ways to Prevent Injuries to Employees
Every day, accidents happen in the workplace that can be avoided with a little precaution and planning. As an employer, it’s your responsibility to make sure your workers are safe on the job. By following these safety rules at work, you can help prevent injuries to employees. Ways to prevent injuries to employees include:
1. Proper Lighting
According to Michael Waks, proper lighting for worker safety should always be considered first because many accidents occur from lack of light. For example, when you walk home or leave the premises after hours, workers may not see obstacles like steps, curbs, puddles, or other hazards.
2. Emergency Exits
You must have adequate exit routes to allow staff to leave quickly and easily. These escape routes should follow a plan to ensure they are accessible before, during, and after construction. Ensure your building has two-way communication systems to relay any emergencies through all floors and offices without delay. Have at least one phone line available to link the office directly and the public safety dispatch center. Having a clear path out of the building also helps reduce the risk of injury by allowing time to move outside safely.
3. Fire Extinguisher Installation
According to https://capazlaw.com/, in case of a fire, you want to know where all your fire extinguishers are. This allows you to distribute them throughout the facility properly. Also, you want to make sure you use all your fire extinguishers, even if unused. Because using a fire extinguisher is quick and easy, learning how to do this will save lives. You also need to know what type of extinguisher goes where. Every workplace needs a minimum of a Class A or Class B unit. Class A units contain halon. It breaks down water into oxygen and hydrogen gas which prevents the combustion of flammable gases. The most common brand is Halox. Class B units contain carbon dioxide. They break down both gaseous and liquid fuels. The most popular brand is ABC.
4. Fall Protection Devices
Any work above ground level should be supervised. Workers should wear high-quality harnesses, safety belts, and lanyards. Workers should wear safety boots with steel toes or toe caps when working on a scaffold, rigger, or tower crane.
5. Training Employees About Hazards
Hazards such as chemicals, power tools, heavy loads, etc., should never be stored near areas employees will regularly use. When a hazard does exist in a certain area, designate who is handling it and train everyone else about its location. Always inspect your equipment before starting work and remind employees to keep their equipment clean. Be sure to warn workers of possible dangers such as electricity or moving mechanical parts and teach them how to avoid them. Keep the workplace free of clutter so that employees can find things quickly. Provide a safe place for workers to put materials and equipment away and wash hands after entering and exiting the workplace.
Employee injuries take a lot of effort and money to correct. If you prevent these incidents, then it makes sense financially and morally. There are many ways to prevent employee injuries, but the top three are proper lighting, emergency exits, and fall protection devices. The more effective ways to protect your workers are by following these suggestions.
