5 Workplace Safety Tips

Why Workplace Safety Is Important

Like Peter Hoeg said, “If you want to support others you have to stay upright yourself.” This is especially the case in the workplace. Everyone has their own issues on their mind. While we can hope everyone will take care to prevent things like slip and fall accidents, that is unfortunately not the case. A variety of factors like laziness and careless can make a workplace hazardous, causing workplace injuries and workplace accidents. You cannot control the behavior of others, but you can be prepared to avoid slip and fall accidents. Workplace safety is important because it is the best way to prevent workplace accidents.

Follow these five tips below to ensure the safety of yourself and others.

1. Be Aware Of Your Surroundings & Maintain a Clear Workspace

Some things in the office cannot help being avoided. Maybe there is a co-worker that never pushes her chair back in the lounge. Or maybe someone never uses paper towels and leaves a big puddle near the sink in the bathroom. Maybe someone is late and turning a corner, on the phone and holding a drink. If you are not paying attention as well, catastrophe can strike.  It’s the little things beyond our control that end up causing workplace accidents. Paying attention to your surroundings is a huge part in avoiding slip and fall accidents.

2. Report Unsafe Conditions

“See Something, Say Something,” is the best motto to prevent workplace accidents. Reporting a dead light bulb can prevent a falling accident for someone not paying attention. Letting a supervisor know of unsafe conditions is the only way to prevent workplace accidents from occurring. If the carpet is becoming torn to the point of becoming a tripping hazard, let your employer know so they can fix it. If they cannot fix it, proper signage should be placed so employees can avoid future workplace injuries. If your employer cannot fix an issue immediately, continue your vigilance in being aware of the issue, and making other employees aware.

3. Avoid Coming To Work Inebriated

The worst thing you could do for yourself is come to work on drugs or alcohol. Work is stressful, and it’s easy to consider resorting to an escapist mentality. Seek mental help or counseling before resorting to illicit items. They will only quicken fatigue and unhealthy habits. Besides the obvious possibility of losing your job, an accident could happen, causing a workplace injury. The dulling of motor skills could also cause a workplace accident.

You could also lose your job from the rash decisions that can be made when you’re inebriated. You could hurt spill your food or drink, causing you or someone else to have a slip and fall. You could be rude to a coworker, causing someone to look into why you are acting so irritable. You could even ruin a relationship with a client from your behavior. Workplace injuries are worse when you can’t remember how you got them. If you need to resort to such extremes for a job, it is best to consider seeking an alternative job. No job is worth the risk of workplace injuries.Your mental health is worth more than a job.

4. Don't Overextend Your Body Throughout The Day

It’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day. Menial and repetitive tasks can take a toll on both the body and mind. The best thing at work for your mental health can be a break. Being able to take a step back provides a release of stress. A breath of fresh air is healthy for the body. A multitude of small breaks throughout the day has been shown to improve overall concentration. This, in turn, will help prevent workplace accidents, allowing for fewer workplace injuries.

Try to keep a journal to determine what is triggering your stress. Consider stress relievers like yoga, or exercise. Taking time out of your day to plan relaxing day trips or days of lounging around the house, will help re-charge for when you need to go back at work. If you bottle up your stress, you will not have the ability to concentrate at work. Not being in peak performance creates a higher chance of workplace accidents. Avoid an accident by keeping your mind and body stress-free.

5. Keep Up With Safety Protocols

Doing as much as possible to prevent fall accidents will affect everyone in the workplace. Make sure to make new employees aware of accident-prone areas, and complete other forms of proper training. Wearing protective equipment or attire like, earphones, earplugs, goggles, gloves, etc., will prevent unwanted workplace injuries. Remember your responsibility to your family, your pets, and yourself. Being prepared and following these guidelines will ensure a decrease in workplace accidents and injuries. Workplace safety will benefit you and everyone around you. People also like to follow others, people will take notice of your precautions, and hopefully try to be more aware as well.

Check Out Our Workplace Safety Video!