The Importance of Staying Safe in the Workplace

The Importance of Staying Safe in the Workplace

Maintaining proper safety etiquette is vital for a company’s production and success. According to the National Safety Council, a worker is injured at their place of employment every 7 seconds. However, with proper safety conduct being enforced, injuries can be prevented. The following tips can help protect you and your fellow employees from workplace injuries:

·         Wearing Protective Equipment: Wearing protective equipment such as safety glasses, safety uniforms and steel-toed shoes is very important for protecting employees from potential injuries.

·         Refraining From Horseplay and Physical Violence: Not only can a situation involving inappropriate physical conduct cause a workplace accident resulting in injury or death, it can also affect the employees involved in a serious matter that can affect their job status, such as a suspension or termination from the workplace. If you see employees in your workplace engaging in any horseplay or physical violence, report the incident to a supervisor immediately.

·         Ensure Workplace Equipment Is Functioning Properly: It is important that machinery used in a workplace is functioning properly. Using machinery that is broken or malfunctioning can put an employee at higher risk of a workplace accident resulting in injury or death. If a machine used in the workplace is not working properly, refrain from using it and inform a supervisor of the issue immediately.

·         Be Aware of Your Surroundings and Report Unsafe Working Conditions: If you see something unsafe in your work environment such as a spill on the floor, an emergency exit being blocked, a broken window, poor lighting, a fire hazard etc., report it to a supervisor immediately. An unreported condition can result in you or another employee potentially getting injured.

·         Stay Sober: Working under the influence of drugs or alcohol is extremely dangerous to both you and your fellow employees. Some signs that show suspicion of alcohol or drug-related influence include aggressive behavior from an employee, slurred speech, clumsiness, tardiness, twitching, paranoia, drowsiness, poor work performance and bloodshot eyes.  Additionally, if the employee is suspected of alcohol or marijuana use, you may smell the scent of alcohol or marijuana on them. If you suspect a fellow employee is working under the influence of drugs or alcohol, alert a supervisor immediately. 

The more priority we place on injury prevention in the workplace, the safer a company and its employees will be!