How To Stay Safe In The Workplace

People who are working in different occupations face a variety of different hazards everyday in the workplace. For example, it is obvious that an office worker is less likely to be injured by a fork-lift truck than a construction worker. However, accidents like slip, trips and falls can occur in any sector and can be very damaging.Statistics for 2008 show that these seemingly minor injuries actually accounted for almost four out of every ten major workplace accidents.

In the same year statistics also show that 34 million work days were lost due to work-place related injuries or accidents. This is a massive number and seems a great waste of time and money. If employers want to maintain a high level of productivity within their company then it is important that they provide their workers with a safe environment that is free from hazards. By law businesses should adhere to health and safety rules, but is there anything we as employees can do to protect ourselves in the workplace?

Of course there is. Employees can work with employers to ensure that workplace accidents are kept to a minimum. Firstly, as a worker you should make yourself aware of any potential risk areas. Although it is the responsibility of the employer to make his employees aware of any potential risks by providing training programs; it is also the responsibility of the employee to attend these training sessions, to take note of the information that is being passed on to them and then to put this information to good use. If you or a member of your team is unsure of how to operate a certain piece of equipment, then you need to inform your employer and not just ignore the problem. If you do spot a potential hazard it is then your responsibility to inform your boss and the rest of the team.

Employers should also be aware of any special equipment needed to perform a task. If any piece is missing, they should tell the supervisor and ensure the rest of the team do not use it. It is the responsibility of a worker to wear the correct safety equipment such as goggles and the correct footwear in order to avoid accidents. Each individual has a responsibility to look after themselves. An employer may need to take more extreme measures to ensure that workers are wearing the correct safety equipment such as banning a person from doing a specific job if they refuse to protect themselves with the appropriate safety gear.

It is also the responsibility of the individual to be in a fit state to work, especially when it comes to operating heavy machinery. This includes ensuring that you are fully rested and prepared for the day ahead and not overtired, hungover or ill as all these things will affect your performance level.

It is true that employers have a duty of care towards their employees but it is simply common sense to look after yourself at the workplace. It may be that your carelessness at work not only affects your health but that of other around you which is unfair on your colleagues and should be avoided at all costs.

Tags: boss, construction worker, firstly, health and safety, minor injuries, occupations, productivity, safety rules, sessions, statistics, supervisor, time and money, waste of time, workplace accidents