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Published on Jun 22
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While some workplace accidents can happen completely by chance, many are easily avoidable. Preventing all incidents in the workplace may not be possible, but there are steps that employers and managers can take to reduce their frequency.
Here are 5 ways to decrease accidents and increase safety in the workplace.
Discourage Shortcuts
In a busy workplace, it’s not uncommon for employees that are familiar with their position to take shortcuts to save time. When they’re are in a hurry, skirting the rules may seem like a good idea. In reality, it just increases the risk of workplace accidents.
Ensure that employees understand the importance of always following workplace safety rules. If they are constantly cutting corners to meet work demands, it may be necessary to re-evaluate workload distribution among staff.
Reduce Clutter
In a fast-paced working environment, simple housekeeping can fall pretty far down on the list of priorities. Most people don’t think a few boxes stacked up in the hallway is a significant safety risk, but all that extra clutter can be a workplace accident waiting to happen.
A clean and organized workspace makes it easier for employees to perform their job duties and reduces the risk of injury from slips, trips, or falls. Whether an office, a manufacturing facility, a warehouse, or a construction site, keeping a well-maintained, clutter-free work area is critical to ensuring employee safety.
Eliminate Drugs and Alcohol
While most workplace accidents don’t involve drugs or alcohol, these substances can exacerbate already risky situations and may lead to serious accidents. Having a clearly stated zero-tolerance policy toward drugs and alcohol is a crucial step in keeping employees safe.
In addition, management must be on the front lines of combatting drug and alcohol use in the workplace. Addressing concerns and possible issues early and often is the only way to prevent drug and alcohol-related injuries. Check out Know the Warning Signs: Alcohol Use in the Workplace to help your management team be more prepared to handle these issues.
Encourage Reporting Concerns
Reporting safety concerns can be intimidating for many employees. Whether it’s reporting that a manager isn’t properly training new employees on safety protocols or that a coworker is taking unnecessary risks, reporting safety concerns can often make an individual feel like they’re ratting out a fellow employee.
Remove the stigma associated with reporting safety concerns by clearly demonstrating the importance of employee participation in the safety process. Reward employees by creating a safety all-star bulletin board or handing out an employee safety award each month to the employee who did the most to help increase awareness in the workplace.
Decrease Complacent Attitudes
When safety in the workplace isn’t consistently made a priority, employees can quickly become complacent towards safety precautions. In workplaces without a clear and constant emphasis on safety, employees can be put at greater risk of injury.
Weekly or monthly safety meetings can go a long way to helping employees understand the greatest areas of risk. Additionally, sending out regular safety tips via email can help employees learn more about steps to keep them safer and way to reduce workplace accidents.
Your Partner in Safety
Keeping your workforce safe is priority one for your company and Sheakley is here to help you do that. Our team of Risk & Safety experts can assist you with developing a comprehensive safety program that’s tailored to the hazards of your industry, reduces workplace accidents, and meets your long-term goals.
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