It must be the priority of any employer to make their employees’ workplace safe for everyone who will be using it. Not just as a legal requirement, a safe workplace also reduces costs in the long-term, minimises staff injuries and sickness and helps to create a better and more productive work environment.
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Maintain a clean and clutter-free workplace
As well as reducing stress and helping to stay organised in your workplace, keeping the space clutter-free and ensuring any spills are quickly cleaned up, will primarily help to prevent most trips and falls that could injure someone at work.
A clean, reduced-stress work environment will also result in less stressed, less clumsy employees who are then less prone to falling.
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Reduce stress in the workplace
Long hours, a strenuous workload, conflicts with other employees and job insecurity are all examples of working conditions that can lead to a stressful work environment with repercussions for employees. From the mental/ emotional toll, to the increased likeliness of falling over, stress can also lead to sleep difficulties and poor memory/ concentration needed for a healthy, safe work environment.
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Use mats on slippery floors
The industrial grade mats absorb water and dirt and when placed strategically around your workplace can prevent anyone falling over. Dust control mats at the door reduce the amount of dirt, damp and bacteria brought in from outside on people’s shoes. Reduced germs will in turn reduce employee sickness. As well, standing on suitable mats helps reduce back pain for employees who stand for long periods.
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Store flammable materials correctly
Flammable materials are a fire hazard when not stored correctly or without adequate ventilation.
Cleaning up spills and storing these materials correctly, maintains everyone’s safety around flammable materials at work and complies with workplace safety laws. This includes correct labels and signs around the materials. The business owner is responsible for maintaining these materials and managing the safety risks.
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Ensure proper training before handling equipment and machinery
Only properly trained employees should handle or be around heavy machinery & workers must hold any licences necessary for their work.
Ideally, your workplace has people trained in first aid, even if your company doesn’t use machinery.
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Appropriate work wear for the tasks must be worn
The right shoes and protective gear will protect employees at work for each task. Different industries require different clothes – from food manufacturing to industrial work – which employers must provide.
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Label hazardous zones
Areas with potentially dangerous equipment should be properly labelled and positioned correctly. Everyone who works in a workplace should be fully aware of hazardous zones and they must comply with up to date laws and regulations.
Tape or paint on the floor can mark hazardous zones easily.
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Provide first aid training
Providing first aid training, but particularly – keeping well stocked first aid equipment on hand that employees can access, is important. Any work vehicles should also have first aid kits.
The more people within a workplace throughout the day, the higher the risks there, so it’s especially important in big, busy workplaces, as well as more obvious high risk industries, such as ones operating machinery, that there is adequate first aid equipment.
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Ensure you have adequate insurance in place
In the event of an accident/ hazard, you’ll need to be properly protected by your insurer.
Good safety practices generally bring down insurance costs as well. Ask your broker for more details.
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Make your workplace ergonomic
Ergonomic furniture / equipment and appropriate workstations where work can be within easy reach and adequate lighting are important for a safe, comfortable and productive workplace. When equipment is adjustable it can suit more workers’ needs. Equally, equipment such as anti-fatigue mats are suitable for workers who are stood up much of the day.
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Use mechanical aids for lifting heavy items
Depending on your line of work, you will either lift things yourself or by using aids – if those items are large or heavy. Aids must be provided where necessary – a conveyor belt, a hoist, a forklift or a wheelbarrow etc.
Workers taught how to lift correctly can avoid a number of injuries.
Somewhere like a warehouse will require both specialist aids and trained employees to use them.
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Inform new employees of the risks
Ensure all new employees are aware of the general risks in their new workplace, as well as any risks specifically associated with their role/ work station and educate on emergency procedure should an emergency arise. No one should be working in an environment where they aren’t fully aware of how to stay safe.
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Avoid assigning repetitive tasks over and over
Repetitive tasks can be both physically and mentally strenuous over time – which can lead to repetitive strain injury (RSI) – anything from aching muscles, to swelling and numbness and these effects need to be treated.
Repetitive tasks can also cause mental fatigue – a lack of attention, increased stress, depressive episodes and decreased satisfaction levels.
Rotate employees’ tasks to maintain a more alert and thus safer workforce.
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Regularly service the tools and machinery used at work
Prevent malfunctions by carrying out checks/ services even when tools/ machinery haven’t stopped working. This can prevent injuries, high costs and many otherwise unnecessary replacements. All maintenance must be carried out in line with manufacturers’ guidelines, by a professional.
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Employees should stay hydrated
It is important that employees are encouraged to stay hydrated at work and have easy access to drinks during the workday – whichever industry they work in.
Headaches, dizziness and fatigue are all perpetuated by dehydration and as well as being unpleasant and reducing productivity also lead to clumsiness and errors at work.
Drinking non-alcoholic drinks, especially water, will help maintain hydration – particularly necessary during our hot summers.
Coffee and carbonated drinks in excess can have the reverse effect.
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Give employees regular breaks
Regular breaks correlate to a more productive workplace – since employees stay fresh and alert. Mini breaks throughout the day prove to be more effective than long breaks.
Employees who take regular breaks are more attentive in the workplace, without impaired cognitive abilities and subsequently cause fewer mistakes and are injured less.
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Be prepared for an emergency
Whether it’s a workplace injury, a sprain, burn, an open wound or a sudden illness, such as cardiac arrest, preparation and awareness in the workplace are key to responding to an employee correctly. A defibrillator, first aid training, first aid kits and general preparation in the event of an emergency can save someone’s life in the workplace.
Many of these safety tips will be relatively easy to instill in your workplace and will likely have a positive knock-on effect for your working environment.