Workplace injuries occur each day and can sometimes even be fatal. In fact, in 2020, there were 2,654,700 injury cases in the United States.
This high number of cases suggests many different workplace safety hazards are often ignored. Having the knowledge of how to be safe in your working environment can keep you out of danger in many instances.
If you’d like to learn about some helpful workplace safety tips, keep reading!
1. Use Proper Protective Equipment
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Proper protective equipment is any gear worn to protect your body, eyes, hands, head, etc. It is essential in any workplace to prevent injuries while on the job. It’s critical to have when working with machinery, chemicals, sickness, etc.
Many companies enforce this gear to protect their workers. However, some employees neglect these rules and end up getting hurt. Failure to wear protective gear can also be grounds for termination depending on the company.
Wearing safety gear each day will lessen your chances of getting injured on the job. This will ensure your overall safety and set a good example for your coworkers. You can always refer to your workplace safety guide to see what gear is required for your profession.
2. Know How to Use Your Machinery
Most machinery is made to complete specific job duties, and employees need to be appropriately trained to use it. This means knowing your machinery is crucial to maintaining your safety while working. It would be best if you took adequate time to understand how each component works.
The tools you use while working can also become dangerous in the blink of an eye. Therefore, you must know how to react in situations that become hazardous. Most often, you’ll need to know where the safety shut-off switch is or how to shut down your machinery completely.
3. Keep Clean
One of the most significant workplace safety hazards is a dirty workspace. Many people don’t realize how dangerous it is to have a cluttered working environment. A messy area can prevent you from doing your job correctly and endanger those around you in emergency situations.
Many injuries are attributed to workplace trip hazards due to dirty floor space. Trips and falls can often happen if you fail to clean up after yourself or don’t remove obstacles you’re walking around.
4. Hydrate
Many jobs require some sort of physical labor that can last throughout the day. This labor usually causes dehydration as you sweat and work hard. Therefore, you must drink enough water to stay hydrated.
Once you start to become dehydrated, your body will begin wearing down. You will become weak, meaning you may not be able to do your job correctly. This then creates dangerous situations for you and your workspace.
Always aim to drink a half-gallon of water a day, increasing that amount for more strenuous working conditions. Staying hydrated will keep you alert and strong for each task you must do.
5. Take Breaks
As previously mentioned, physical labor can wear your body down day after day. Regardless of how much work you may have, overworking yourself will only hurt your body in the long run. Taking adequate breaks throughout the day will help your body rest and reset for the upcoming work hours.
During your breaks, take the opportunity to refuel with healthy snacks and drinks. This will give you more energy to use throughout the day and keep you in excellent working condition.
6. Know Your Surroundings
Knowing your surroundings is more important than it sounds and is a great habit to form for various safety reasons. Keeping an eye on what’s going on around you will keep you alert for any hazardous situations that may occur.
This tactic is essential in emergencies so that you can navigate the area. You’ll already have the area mapped out in your mind, which would then get you to safety quicker.
7. Report Unsafe Conditions
Unsafe conditions occur in the workplace pretty often. Unfortunately, these conditions aren’t always reported due to fear of retribution.
Remember, your safety comes first, and you must always report any conditions you’re uncomfortable with. First, report it to your direct supervisor so they can resolve the issue. If nothing is fixed, you may need to file a report to your human relations department.
A great way to monitor your work environment conditions is to have a safety data sheet. SDS online services can provide an easy and efficient setup for your company.
8. Do Your Job Correctly
Doing your job correctly may not always be easy to do when you’re tired or overworked. However, doing the job right can save you from unnecessary injury or pain.
Taking shortcuts can sometimes have negative results that can become dangerous. Your job should be done correctly each day so that you do not put yourself in harm’s way.
9. Heavy Lifting and Posture
Many physical jobs require heavy lifting throughout the day. To safely lift objects, you must have the proper form and posture.
Often, people hurt their backs when they fail to lift things correctly. You must always lift the majority of the weight with your legs and have a good posture while doing it. This keeps the strain off your spine and protects your back muscles as well.
Workplace Safety Tips Worth Knowing
Knowing all of these workplace safety tips can make a difference in preventing an injury. Hopefully, these tips will help keep you and your coworkers safe throughout your careers.
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