Workplace safety is one topic that does not get enough attention, and to be honest, depending on what you know about accident prevention, your employees could be in a life-or-death situation and not know what to do. 

Some industries and sectors are at a higher risk of accidents, such as construction, mining, retail, etc. However, there are steps you can take to decrease the possibility of accidents, and these steps work regardless of your industry. But before we jump into how you can encourage workplace injury prevention, what exactly is a workplace accident?

What is a workplace accident?

A workplace accident can be described as a circumstance when an employee is unexpectedly injured during his duty. 

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration, OSHA, was established in 1971 by the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 to combat increased workplace accidents and deaths during the late 20th century. They have been largely effective in creating a standard that keeps workers safe from accidents. 

Accident prevention is a big deal, and there are things you can do to encourage accident prevention at your workplace. Here are eight steps to reducing employees’ work-related injuries and illnesses.

8 general safety principles for reducing employees’ work-related injuries and illnesses. 

General safety principles that can help reduce workplace accidents include:

1. Risk Assessment

The question “What is the first step in accident prevention?” has a simple answer: Risk Assessment. Risk Assessment is taking stock of your work environment and identifying potential risks and dangers that could cause or result in accidents at your workplace. You should consider the machines being used, the lighting of the workspace, employees’ training, and other important factors while conducting your risk assessment. 

2. Have an Accident Prevention Plan

When it comes to workplace injury prevention, understanding that failure to plan is basically planning to fail is very important. Once you have conducted your risk assessment, you must have an accident prevention plan. This plan should consider all the information you have gathered through your risk assessment procedure and formulate a detailed plan. This plan should cover basic safety protocols, important work tools and how to use them, procedures in case of an accident, and more. Having a plan helps in reducing employees’ work-related injuries and illnesses. 

3. Hold work safety training. 

Besides having a plan, ensuring your workers can follow through with safety plans is equally important. Organizing safety training to help workers better adapt to workplace tools and equipment and to teach them how to react when an accident occurs benefits every party involved. This training should be at regular intervals or when there is a change in work equipment or work conditions. 

4. Carryout regular assessment

Machinery and tools should be inspected regularly to minimize the risk of malfunctions. Furthermore, workers, especially those handling dangerous tasks, should be regularly supervised to ensure they do things right. This process includes correcting workers’ posture, ensuring they do not take shortcuts, and maintaining all machinery properly. 

5. Provide necessary protective gear.

Safety gear will vary depending on the industry, but all workers should be properly outfitted with the proper protective gear. This gear includes safety goggles, gloves, helmets, durable overalls, boots, fall protection devices, and more. OSHA advises implementing a Personal Protective Equipment program that addresses risks and instructs staff members on how to wear protective equipment.

6. Keep workspaces clean and professional.

Accidents in the workplace can be kept low and minimal if a clean and safe workspace is prioritized. Cluttered workspaces are hubs for accidents, and this can be especially dangerous when workers do not follow basic safety protocols. Besides cleaning staff, workers should ensure they are mindful of leaving cables lying about and cleaning up spills. Proper storage of equipment should be encouraged after work. Workers should never throw caution to the wind, rather, they should keep in mind that being cautious is the best way to prevent accidents.  

7. Hire a safety officer.

A safety officer has a wealth of experience and training in keeping workers safe. They can keep workers safe, ensure that safety procedures are being followed, supervise the training of workers, determine the risk of particular actions, and develop plans to mitigate the possibilities of accidents. They are also vital for keeping workspaces in line with national, regional, and local safety laws. 

8. Report accidents and close calls. 

Communication is key in accident prevention. When accidents occur, workers should inform their supervisors and safety officials, and this should be done when there are close calls, too. Safety officials can determine the frequency of certain accidents and what equipment could be accident-prone, enabling them to prepare proper prevention plans. Businesses should encourage open communication to facilitate easy reporting and ensure the safety of workers. 

Conclusion

Preventing workplace injuries and accidents requires all hands on deck. Everyone in a company should be concerned and follow the safety plans set up to minimize workplace accidents. Furthermore, the materials used in constructing safety devices are vital in preventing accidents. 

We desire your utmost safety, and at ErectaStep, we are committed to helping you every step of the way. If you require any help in ensuring your workers’ safety, you can reach out to any of our ErectaStep representatives.