A safe work environment doesn’t happen by accident. It happens when those in charge commit to fostering a safe work environment and then put procedures in place to be sure that it happens. Safety happens when employees are educated and able to make smart safety decisions throughout the day.
Below is a list of Top 10 Safety Tips to help foster a safe work environment.
1. Educate Your Employees
An educated employee is a safe employee. Make sure your employees understand the risks and requirements associated with the job. Share injury statistics related to their jobs with them; teach them to be aware of their surroundings.
2. Train Your Employees
Train employees to do their jobs properly and safely. On a regular basis, review procedures with them in meetings focused on safety.
3. Communicate with Your Employees
From the top down, employees need to know safety is a priority. Require employees to inform their supervisor about any hazardous workplace conditions and then address those hazards immediately. Have an open door policy so employees are comfortable bringing up a safety violation.
4. Give ‘em a break
Tired, overworked or stressed out employees are magnets for accidents. Keep employees at their peak by providing periodic breaks throughout the workday. Try to schedule more difficult, tedious tasks for earlier in the day, when employees are more alert.
5. Provide mechanical aids
More than one million workers suffer from back injuries each year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Require employees to use forklifts, conveyer belts, cranes or wheelbarrows to move heavy loads.
6. Teach Proper Lifting
Three out of four of those back injuries reported to the BLS were to the lower back and caused by lifting loads too heavy or improperly. Teach employees to not twist or stoop when lifting heavy objects. Lift with the thigh muscles and keep objects close to the body.
7. Provide appropriate for the job.
Safety goggles, earplugs, back support belts and dust masks help prevent work-related injury and illness. If possible, provide ergonomically friendly furniture.
8. Use Signage for Safety
Use signage to alert employees where a potential workplace hazards might be found. OSHA updated its safety sign standard in 2013, so make sure your workplace meets the requirements.
9. Keep your workplace drug and alcohol free
Alcohol and drug use puts employees at risk for injury and it affects your bottom line from lost productivity, absenteeism, theft, and low employee morale.
10. Keep the workplace clean.
Bottom line, a clean workplace is a safe workplace.
Looking for more ways to keep your workplace safe? Check out OSHA’s Toolbox Talks, and be sure to visit MrBoxOnline or call (800) 231-8806 to learn more about our safety products.
