Workplace safety practices are essential for the protection of employees in any organization. Every employee who works in an organization has the right to stay safe and protected. It is not only the duty but also the moral responsibility of a company to take care of the protection of employees. Organizations take several measures to take care of employee safety.
Be aware of your surroundings
There might be some potential hazards in your surroundings. However, every employee does not bother about the risks and dangers in their surroundings. It is essential to observe your surroundings to know about the potential risks so that you can take steps to minimize the hazards. Understanding the risks in your vicinity enables you to inform the same to the security in-charge and find a relevant solution for the same.
Inform the potential risks
If you find some potential risks or hazards in your surroundings or any other area in your company, you must inform about them to the supervisor or security in-charge. It is the responsibility of security in-charge to listen to the problems of employees and understand the risks to create a safe work environment for employees. Moreover, the organizations are bound by law to offer security to their employees and maintain a safe work environment.
Manage the stress
Many employees feel the stress due to the overburden of work, and their health starts deteriorating steadily. The extended working hours and work pressure lead to anxiety and depression. The work pressure and conflicts in the office also affect their personal life. Therefore it is essential to reduce the stress by taking regular breaks and avoiding the conflicts. It is essential to maintain your health and take a healthy diet to keep yourself fit.
Appropriate use of tools
Some organizations especially the factories and manufacturing units have machinery and appliances that need to be used with extreme caution. The employees and workers working on the machinery should know the proper use of tools for their workplace safety. They should know how to use the machines safely. Moreover, the employees should be given appropriate training to use the machines safely and accurately.
Easy access to exits
Emergencies can happen in the workplace at any time, and employees may need to exit the area for their safety. Every area should have at least two exits so that employees can use them to move out of the place in case of emergencies. Organizations should install an emergency exit all the areas that are highly prone to risks and hazards.
Workplace safety training
Every organization should conduct the workplace safety training sessions to educate their employees about how to keep themselves safe and maintain a safe work environment. Training the employees about the potential risks and how to minimize them can help to maintain safety in an organization.
Workplace first aid kit
Accidents can happen in any organization and it essential to offer immediate treatment to the affected person in such cases. Every organization should have a workplace first aid kit to provide treatment to a person suffering from illness or injury. It should contain the essential medications and pain relievers that can be given to a person before consulting a physician.
Use protective gear for work
You should offer the employees to wear protective equipment required for working on specific tasks as a workplace safety measure. It is especially necessary for the workers working on heavy machinery. Also, use mechanical aids wherever possible. For example, don’t try to lift a massive Xerox machine on your arms while transferring it to another area. Instead, use a trolley or take help from your coworkers to move it safely. Taking help or using the relevant aid will help you to keep yourself safe.
Maintain the correct posture
It is essential for any person to maintain the proper position of their body all the time irrespective of their work profile. If you sit for 8 to 9 hours on a chair, you should keep your back straight, and legs bend at right angles at the knees. Moreover, it is necessary to take breaks in the sitting job to relax your body.
People working in factories and manufacturing units need to take extreme care while lifting weights, bending down and working on heavy equipment. Workers bending their back while lifting the things are prone to back and spine injuries. Doctors and physical therapists recommend bending the legs and not the back while lifting the weights.
Be aware of new equipment and procedures
Whenever a company buys a new machine or office equipment or update a training, people who need to use it should be trained about the new workplace safety processes. While every company is responsible for providing proper training, the employees should ensure to understand the new safety procedures. It is essential to learn the correct procedure and implement it properly before using a new machine. Workers should ask questions if they don’t understand a safety procedure.
Implement emergency procedures
Unfortunately, emergencies don’t come with prior notice. In a country like Australia, floods, fires and earthquakes are common. Organizations should be prepared all the times to ensure the safety of their business, employees, and visitors.
They need to follow some procedures that should be already in place to deal with emergencies:
— Keep yourself updated about the forecasts and predictions about natural disasters and emergencies. Check the social media and the Bureau of Meteorology in your country.
— Identify the potential risks in your area.
— Identify the crucial points of your business and ways to protect it from risks.
— Develop an emergency response plan for disasters
— Educate your employees by conducting Emergency Response and Evacuation Training
Final words
It is essential for the employees of every organization to follow the tips for workplace safety. Maintaining a safe work environment is not difficult if both the organization and employees take care of their safety. Taking care of little things and informing the risks and hazards at the right time can help any organization to maintain a safe work environment for their employees.
