Guest Blog: The 5 Step Guide on Workplace Safety
At FABTECH, we are always looking for opportunities to keep our readers up-to-date on the latest advancements in the manufacturing industry. But even with the best technology, workplace safety still remains a crucial aspect of business success. The following is a guest blog post from writer Paul Thomas. Paul is a veteran of the construction industry who has gathered some valuable safety tips during his career as a welder and project manager. Since retiring from construction, he has worked as a safety consultant for Emedco.com. In his free time, he builds model airplanes and hangs out with his pet bird. ————
5 Tips for Workplace Safety
Workplace safety is something many people practice on a day-to-day basis. However, injuries in the workplace are still one of the leading causes of emergency room visits in the United States today, and with the employment rate increasing, injury rates will only increase as well. Below is a list of some ways in which you can create a safe and healthy work environment. 1. Comply by OSHA’s Industry Requirements: OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) was created to reduce the amount of workplace injuries, illnesses, and deaths. This administration provides safety guidelines for private sector businesses to follow, including fire safety, first aid, and emergency plans. Since the creation of OSHA in 1970, workplace injuries and illnesses have decreased by 40%. Ensuring your workplace follows these guidelines is a great way to reduce the risk of workplace accidents, and provide a safe and healthy place to work. 2. Communicate Within the Workplace: Communication is the key to providing a safe work environment. There are many factors that play into this, from the implementation of workplace safety signs and labels to regular training programs that ensure the correct use of any equipment in the workplace. Proper communication practices will improve workplace safety, and greatly reduce the risk of workplace injuries. 3. Wear the Correct Safety Equipment: Safety equipment is one of the best ways to prevent injuries from occurring in the workplace. Depending on the job being done, things like hard hats, safety goggles, gloves, and proper footwear are absolutely necessary in the workplace. However, just wearing these things is not all you need to do to ensure safety, you must also be sure that the safety equipment you are using is going to protect you in your specific line of work. Overall, proper safety equipment is a great way to reduce the risk of injuries within the workplace. 4. Follow Proper Maintenance Schedules: With the advancement of technology in the recent years, the use of industrial machinery has increased as well. Regular maintenance of this machinery plays a huge role in workers being able to safely use this type of equipment. Keeping up with these schedules can be very time consuming, however a lot of industrial businesses have started using computerized maintenance management systems, which helps reduce the time and money invested into maintaining and repairing industrial equipment. 5. Report Any Unsafe Working Conditions: Reporting any unsafe working conditions to the proper party is extremely important. Employees reserve the right to be provided a safe work environment, and employers are legally obligated to ensure workplace safety. Be sure to report any issues within the workplace – even if it’s minor – so it does not escalate into a dangerous situation. There are many ways to report unsafe practices, whether it be through supervisors or filing a complaint through OSHA. Overall, it’s up to business owners to educate their employees on workplace safety and provide the necessary training to prevent accidents. It’s also up to the employees to be active in helping maintain these safe working conditions, by using and maintaining equipment correctly, and reporting safety precautions within the workplace. ——— Would you like to be a guest blogger? Send us your bio and an overview of your guest blog topic to caitlin.andrews@policyres.com
