Six Ways To Protect Employees From Workplace Injuries


There are many aspects to your business that are critical for you to stay open. Keeping your facility and the staff that works there healthy and free from injury ranks among the most important. Instituting a plan for your employees to follow and reinforcing that education is one method that will protect those in your organization from getting hurt and those medical costs from affecting your profit. 

So, what are the six ways to protect employees from workplace injuries? Ensure you understand the OSHA requirements, and your employees’ are educated and trained to know what to do in an emergency. Also, promote a healthy lifestyle, keep your company and your workspace clean, and develop a location safety plan.

Here are six steps you can follow to avoid having workplace injuries in your company.

1. Educate Your Staff

Schedule time to gather your employees together to go over safety measures in your business. You can do this as the entire group or break it down by department. Plan to have these meetings at least once a month so that you can include any new requirementsOpens in a new tab. or to review any issues that reoccur. Provide them with any materials that you have so that they can review them on their own time. This can include the ones that you created as well as those given to you by outside agencies. Be sure to include these measures during your new hire orientation and explain your protocols in depth with your new staff members. Post signs around the locations that have the potential to cause injuries and explain to the employees in that area the correct procedures to avoid any problems. If your budget allows, invite experts who specialize in the workplace safely to come and talk with everyone in your company, especially if their knowledge covers a topic that you are having issues with. Having an outside voice stressing what you have instructed might help your employees understand it better.

2. Develop a Safety Plan

Develop a strategy to keep your staff safe from danger while they are on the job. Analyze your facility and look for risks that could hurt someone. Review any reports you might have received already about injuries that have happened while they were there. If you have machinery that your employees work with, study the instruction manual for warnings that you document. If you are reluctant on how to proceed, reach out to a personal injury attorney las vegasOpens in a new tab. for assistance in writing it. Clearly state why you feel safety is important for your organization and how vital it is for everyone to take caution when they are performing their duties. Cover each point that you found and explain the correct and safe way to accomplish that task. Be as detailed as you can as you create these plans for your company. If you wish to add photos to it to further explain what you want to state, hire a professional to take them for you.

3. Keep Your Company Clean

Instruct your staff about keeping the facility clean and orderly so that you can prevent accidents. Keep aisles clear of large itemsOpens in a new tab. and debris so that those working in the area are less likely to trip and fall. Sweep hard floors and vacuum carpets multiple times a week. Provide waste receptacles for your employees to dispose of their garbage in. This allows your staff to work in a clean, tidy area which can boost morale and increase productivity. Have large objects, such as ladders, secured to the wall or stored in spaces where they will stay upright and safe. In the office, remind your staff to keep file cabinet drawers closed so that they and those around them avoid running into them and hurting themselves. If your employees have cluttered desks and work spaces, purchase organizational materials to keep their papers in. To encourage your organization to participate in keeping your building and the grounds around it clean, you can hold contests that reward the department that is the tidiest or that does the most recycling. This will give them extra incentive to work towards an orderly workplace.

4. Understand OSHA Requirements

Educate yourself on what the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, or OSHA, expects from your business. Take classes that are available to you to learn what requirements you must meet to reach their standards. Review the laws that are in place as they apply to your organization and be sure that they are enforced. Determine which signage you will need to warn your employees of danger. This should include placards for chemicals, pinch points, and wet floors. Find out what equipment is recommended for your staff to do their tasks and order what is needed. When you gather materials from the government to share with your employees, be sure that their books and pamphlets are in a language that they understand. Use OSHA’s guidelines to record incidents that occur in your facility and investigate the injury as explained in the directions. You should also use these instructions to store these files in the event that you need to review past cases.

5. Make Sure Your Staff Knows What To Do In an Emergency

Schedule different types of emergency scenarios as they correspond to what your business does and the region that you are in. Walk everyone through what they should do if a fire, weather related issue, or other catastrophe Opens in a new tab.happens until you feel confident that they understand it. Then, to test their knowledge, simulate that problem to ensure that your staff will know what to do if it ever occurs. Evaluate how each person handles the training and document it in the event that you need to review the procedures with them. It is important that each member of your organization abides by the rules that you provide. Vary from one drill to another on different days and keep it a secret when you decide to do them. Be aware of the days you do these. You may want to avoid having a fire drill on a winter day that is bitterly cold so that your employees stay safe from the chill.

6. Go Beyond Workplace Safety

While it is important to abide by the safety measures that you have assigned, as well as those dictated by local, state, and federal organizations, it is equally as vital to promote a healthy lifestyle to your staff. Allot time for them to get outside and enjoy a beautiful day away from their work to decrease their stress. Give them opportunities to exercise at work during their breaks, whether by taking a walk or by organizing a fitness class in an open classroom. If you have vending machines in your cafeteria or break room, add nutritious options to them such as fruit, vegetables, lean meat and cheese packs, or granola bars. Contact a local gym and inquire about discount memberships for your staff if they sign up as a group. Motivate them by adopting these practices yourself and encourage them to join you. It might be easier for them to embrace a healthy lifestyle if you do it together. Diligence in promoting a safe workplace as well as enforcing the habits of your staff will reduce the injuries that happen within your company, which will lead to a healthy, happy, and productive organization. Taking the time to develop preventative measures for dangerous spots in your facility, educating those who work for you, and encouraging a healthy lifestyle will demonstrate to your staff and those outside your business how important workplace safety is to you.

Steve Todd

Steve Todd, founder of Open Sourced Workplace and is a recognized thought leader in workplace strategy and the future of work. With a passion for work from anywhere, Steve has successfully implemented transformative strategies that enhance productivity and employee satisfaction. Through Open Sourced Workplace, he fosters collaboration among HR, facilities management, technology, and real estate professionals, providing valuable insights and resources. As a speaker and contributor to various publications, Steve remains dedicated to staying at the forefront of workplace innovation, helping organizations thrive in today's dynamic work environment.

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