Did you know that every 15 seconds, 153 workers are involved in a workplace accident around the world? Every year, 317 million accidents occur on the job and unfortunately 2.3 million people die because of these incidents. Poor occupational health and safety procedures cost the economy 4% of its GDP. Last year, over 500,000 people in Australia suffered a work-related injury, and according to “Safe Work Australia” workplaces are under-prepared for emergencies that may occur on-site, with many employees unsure of what to do in an emergency.
Implementing appropriate measures is critical for reducing the risk of injury and health-related issues in the workplace. As an employer, creating an environment that facilitates and encourages safety practices is paramount, and will ensure employees’ overall well-being and safety. While proper safety precautions will not be able to prevent all accidents, they can certainly reduce risk factors and limit the number of occurrences and potential damage. According to the Liberty Mutual Workplace Safety Index, a company may expect a $4 return on investment for every $1 invested on workplace safety.
The first step to ensure a safe working environment is to have a strategy in place to anticipate future safety-related hazards and address potential workplace accidents, and this strategy should be available to and understood by employees at all levels.
Create a Safety Plan
It’s important for every worker, contractor, and visitor to have access to a thorough safety plan. Businesses should carefully evaluate and update the workplace safety procedure regularly for new and evolving hazards in the workplace. Make sure that all employees and visitors receive copies of the plan and have adequate time allocated to review it.
Record Keeping
Accidents can happen regardless of how many measures you take. Keeping thorough records of the occurrences and their causes might assist in assessing the risk factors involved and you can work towards mitigating them in the future. A dedicated safety officer should be appointed to keep track of all incidents, big or small, and work closely with employees and management to eliminate or reduce the elements leading to workplace injuries.
Proper Safety Equipment
Make sure your employees have access to safety tools and equipment. For example, where appropriate employees should have access to a PPE kit to reduce the possibility of exposure to hazards that could cause injury. Whether it’s something as small as earplugs or as complex as a chemical suit, wearing the appropriate (PPE) for the task is another way to avoid on-site injury.
Eliminate Potential Hazards
Maintain a safe workplace free of known physical, mechanical, and chemical hazards while adhering to WHS rules and regulations for the safety of the staff. Make sure first aid kits are easily accessible and available on all levels for the safety of the employees. Train and remind staff on appropriate body mechanics, forklift safety, safe backing, and how to avoid slips, trips, and falls using appropriate signage. Use compliant labels and different types of signs like danger, warnings, and caution for clear visual communication and to warn employees of potential hazards. Encourage staff to identify and report possible threats and safety breaches and take prompt action to resolve the issues.
Provide Proper Training
All employees should be properly trained, especially if there is a potential danger or a chance of injury associated with a job. Make sure that all employees have access to – and have completed – any required safety training for their positions. Keep an eye on employees to make sure they’re adhering to the safety procedures while performing their duties. Training also helps employees to become more aware of different circumstances and learn how to identify, report, and control workplace hazards. Failure to provide adequate training to employees not only endangers everyone’s safety but also puts employers at risk of being accountable for a serious incident.
Workplace health and safety is one of the top priorities for organisations around the world. Employers are always trying to develop innovative ways to keep their remote, frontline, and on-site employees safe and healthy, as safe workplaces are productive workplaces.
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