Each year, tens of thousands of people are so seriously injured at work that they can no longer earn a living in the same way. Many others sustain less severe injuries while a small proportion is unfortunately killed in their line of work.
This can have serious detrimental consequences to all those involved, but there are steps that everyone can take to protect themselves from the dangers. To help, here are five top tips for staying safe in the workplace.
1. Avoid shortcuts
It is often tempting to try and get the job done quickly but this often leads to oversights. By ignoring necessary safety guidelines to complete a job in a quicker time frame you could save yourself 20 minutes, but risk a permanent injury.
2. Take care on the road
Many accidents happen when commuting to and from work, so take care and don’t rush. It may be frustrating, being stuck in traffic, but it’s better to be a few minutes late the office than sustain a serious injury and your employer will understand.
3. Wear it right
Use all safety equipment provided by your employer at all times. Regardless of how it looks, this equipment is provided for a reason and if it was safe to complete the task without it then it wouldn’t be provided.
4. Get trained
Specific jobs require certain equipment and if you don’t know how to use it properly, you shouldn’t use it at all. It is the responsibility of your employer to ensure you are adequately trained before using any equipment. If you are unsure, say no and ask for correct training.
5. Tidy up
A clean and tidy workplace is a safe one and you’d be amazed how many accidents happen because materials or tools are improperly stored. Everything should be stored in the correct manner according to health and safety regulations and there should be clear procedures in place and details on how to access store materials.
Common sense practices, such as not placing anything heavy on high shelves and not leaving loose materials on the floor, should also be followed.
Tips for dealing with accidents at work
Unfortunately, not all accidents are avoidable. In circumstances were injury or accident could not be avoided, it’s important you follow these tips to deal with the repercussions:
- Seek medical assistance, regardless of how severe you think your injuries are.
- Formally report the incident to your place of work and any relevant authorities.
- Speak to specialists at firms such as injurylawyers4u.co.uk to establish whether you’re eligible to claim compensation.
- Monitor your health and report any issues as soon as they occur.
- Consider counselling services to address any potential psychological impacts.
About the Author: This article is contributed by Ginnie Richards