6 Steps Managers can Take to help Minimise Workplace Accidents
A single accident at work can have a big impact on your business.
Between paying the high costs of medical care, incurring financial loss due to loss of productivity, poor morale at work, and the bad press that will definitely accompany workplace accidents, there is no telling what the implications will be for your business.
The best way to avoid these damages is to avoid injury.
Follow these guidelines to minimise workplace injury and protect your employees.
Identify Possible Threats
It is not possible to put proper measures in place when you don’t know what poses health and safety hazards in your organisation. Therefore, the first step in minimising workplace accidents is to identify potential hazards so that you can put in the necessary safety protocols.
Each workplace is unique, as are risks and the necessary safety measures.
For example, the safety measures required for a building or construction site are very different to those required for an office.
It is strongly recommended that you employ a professional third party to carry out a risk assessment in the workplace, as they are more objective in their assessment. They can also proffer suggestions for mitigating risks.
Train Employees and Managers
Continuous training and education of people that work in your organisation is needed if you want to prevent accidents as much as possible.
Educate employees on how important it is to comply with security measures as often as possible.
Additional training in body mechanics can help reduce injuries that occur as a result of the type of work they do and ensure worker safety especially with lifting and moving.
Implement Control Measures
If you know the risks your employees are exposed to, plan control measures to reduce the risk of accidents at work.
For example, an employee that works at the computer all day may be exposed to carpal tunnel syndrome. You can prevent or minimise this, however, by offering employees in the department wrist braces or Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
Another ideal solution is encouraging them to take short, frequent breaks. Also, you can vary their tasks so that they do not repeat one activity for too long.
Get Ready for Unforeseen Events
The unfortunate truth, no matter how much you prepare and what safety measures you take, accidents can still happen and employees can get hurt.
Employers must have a protocol ensuring that every injured worker receives the necessary care as soon as possible.
Such care may cost the company money but as long as you have the relevant type of business insurances, such as public liability insurance for example, your organisation will be covered against financial loss that may occur as a result of workplace accident
Hire the Right People
Hiring someone who doesn’t have the skills or physical ability to do the type of work your business engages in can do more harm than good.
Not only can these employees increase the workload of other employees, but they can also threaten the safety of other employees.
Every employee must be able to perform the task assigned to him and must undergo an agreed security training program before starting work.
Avoid Shortcuts
Often, accidents do not happen because safety measures are not known, but because people take short cuts to get things done faster and because they are in a hurry.
Unfortunately, these shortcuts could be the difference between minor injuries and a life-threatening disaster.
As an employee or business manager, it is your responsibility to see that your workers do not cut corners. You too should not cut corners when it comes to providing the necessary safety equipment and meeting the relevant health and safety compliance.
Final Words
Accidents in the workplace can occur at any time.
Although this is sometimes unavoidable, you can now take action to protect your employees, yourself and your company from such tragedies.
You need to make sure that security measures are a priority in your company so that you and your employees can enjoy good health, productivity and job satisfaction.