Injuries in the Workplace: 8 Tips for Preventing Accidents at Work

Part of being a responsible employer is keeping your workers safe. Your staff is your bread and butter. You need them to keep your company working like a well-oiled machine. 

The good news is that there are plenty of ways to prevent injuries in the workplace before they happen. All it takes is training and communicating with your team. 

You’ll also need to screen all your new hires and get a proper injury program going. Of course, no matter how hard you try, accidents happen. When they do, you’ll need to be prepared with worker’s comp. 

Want to learn more about creating a better office? Check out this workplace safety checklist. 

1. Implement an Injury Program 

The best way to prevent workplace injury is to be aware of the dangers. That means having a good injury program in place and involving your employees in it. 

Give your workers the option to report hazards when they spot them and do something about the dangers. All your emergency procedures will be part of your program as well. 

Your workers should know who to call when things go south. You should also highlight safety areas so all your employees are aware of where to go in an emergency. 

2. Provide the Proper Gear

Another effective way to reduce workplace injuries is to provide all your workers with the proper safety gear. The type of protective equipment you need to invest in all depends on your industry. 

For example, if you deal in food processing, your workers will have to wear antibacterial clothing. Doctors and nurses need double-ply masks. 

Workers should also be wearing the proper footwear. It doesn’t matter what type of environment your employees are in, nonslip shoes are a must. 

Flip flops and sandals aren’t great for working in. For one, they provide absolutely no support for someone who spends their entire shift on their feet. For two, they leave their toes wide open for injury. 

3. Screen Your New Hires 

During the job interview and even before, you need to make sure someone can handle all the job will throw at them before you begin the hiring paperwork. They need a certain level of experience to operate heavy equipment and clean up hazardous chemicals. 

If the job requires the use of pesticides or handling electrical wires, check to see that the potential hire has plenty of experience with it. You can run tests to find out if the employee can tackle lifting heavy cargo if necessary. 

4. Keep Your Office Organized 

A clean workplace is a safe workplace. Leaving out cords and boxes is a huge hazard. An employee that’s zipping around from place to place can trip if they aren’t paying attention. 

Leave paths open for forklifts and other vehicles to operate. There are some hazards that are temporary. You can put down a wet floor sign until you get around to wiping it up. 

There are also permanent hazards that need signs such as sharp tools and stored chemicals. Dull worn-out equipment can cause more problems than not. 

For example, dull knives won’t cut anyone, but using them can still result in injuries. When the worker has to strain to cut something, it puts a lot of pressure on their wrist. 

5. Ergonomics Are Important 

You would be surprised at what the right desk can do for bodily strain. Contrary to popular belief, people aren’t meant to sit for 24 hours a day. Your employees need a chance to stretch their legs. Standing desks can do just that. 

You should also invest in ergonomic keyboards, chairs, and other equipment. Doing so will keep your workers out of the chiropractor’s office and slow down your rate of call-outs. 

6. Communicate With Your Team 

Many injuries can be avoided with simple communication. You should have a work culture in place that encourages employees to speak up when something is wrong. 

For instance, let’s say that you have an employee who experiences frequent wrist pain. If they keep that to themselves, it can develop into a serious condition that will cause them to be out of work for several weeks. 

If they feel like they can come to you about it, you can give them the time they need to get the problem treated before it turns into carpal tunnel syndrome.

Employees that spot potential safety hazards should be able to make their concerns heard. Communication is key. 

7. Training Is Important 

Before you let your new hires onto the floor, you need to make sure that you train them on all the proper safety protocols. Employees should be equipped with all the knowledge they need to carry out their duties. 

That includes storing and getting rid of hazardous materials and lifting heavy boxes. Refresh them on their training every now and again to ensure they don’t forget the basics. 

8. Be Prepared With Worker’s Comp 

No matter how hard you try, there is still the possibility that your employees slip up and get hurt. When that happens, you’ll need a proper worker’s comp program to compensate your employees for their injuries. 

You can keep the injury claims organized with the right software. Go here to see details about these programs. 

Preventing Injuries in the Workplace 

Part of your job as an employer is to keep your workers safe and happy. Preventing Injuries in the workplace is easier than you may think. 

As long as you train everyone on how to safely carry out their jobs and keep your office organized, you’ll have fewer call-outs and worker’s comp cases on your hands. For more tips that will help you become a better boss, visit the Business section of our blog.