No one wants to get injured on the job, but unfortunately, thousands of workers are injured every year. While some of these injuries are relatively minor and workers return to work quickly, some are more severe and require long rehabilitation periods and even a change of work locations. One way to protect yourself is to ensure you are working in a safe workplace. But how do you assess whether this is the case?
Your Employer Mandates Regular Training
Adequate training remains one of the best ways to prevent workplace injuries. It helps employees know how to avoid dangerous situations and what to do in case of accidents. The best employers arrange for different types of training and certification depending on the specific needs of their workers and where they see knowledge gaps.
Before providing this training, businesses can work with health and safety consultants to find areas of improvement and tailor the provided training so it benefits their workers. They can also arrange regular checks where inspections reveal whether workers are putting what they have learned into practice and if they need additional training.
Managers and Supervisors Discourage Taking Shortcuts
Another common cause of workplace accidents is taking shortcuts. Managers, bosses, and supervisors who encourage their employees to do this actively put them in danger. If yours regularly does this, you should seriously consider alternative employers.
Apart from not encouraging this behaviour, they should also actively discourage it. They should not let employees get away with taking shortcuts and should be strict about reprimanding those who do.
The Equipment Is Repaired and Maintained as Required
Damaged, broken, and malfunctioning equipment is dangerous and can cause serious injuries. Managers and leaders concerned about their workers’ safety are proactive in ensuring all equipment is maintained and repaired as required. By doing so, they eliminate the dangers associated with:
- Broken machinery causing accidents
- Machines that fail to operate correctly, damaging other equipment and putting workers in danger
- Malfunctioning machines damaging the building and environment within which they are housed
Workers Have Access to Proper Safety Equipment
All workers should have access to proper safety equipment. It should be well-maintained, free of contamination, and suited for the tasks specific workers typically handle. For example, some workers may only need helmets, gloves, and high-visibility vests while others may need eye and ear protection.
Even with the right equipment available, leaders and supervisors should ensure it fits right. Equipment that does not meet this requirement endangers workers by exposing them to whatever the equipment was supposed to protect them from. This is often the case where workers have to navigate areas with harmful gases or hazardous chemicals that could cause severe injuries and irreparable damage if they are not protected adequately.
Everyone deserves to feel and be safe at work. Whether you are starting a new job or have worked at the same one for years, you should always check whether your workplace is safe. If not, it would be a good idea to talk to your supervisor to see what they can do about it. If they do not take corrective measures, it is better to seek alternative employment rather than risk your health and life.