Do you know why OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) has enforced the employees to follow safety guidelines? No doubt, they intend to save as many lives as they can. According to OSHA, thousands of fatal injuries and hundreds of non-fatal injuries take place every year in the U.S, due to unsafe environments and not taking safety actions. OSHA has mandated all the companies and businesses to regulate the safety standards, this is how they can protect their employees and labourers. Any negligence in these regulations can lead to an investigation, which results in penalties and chances are that companies lose their reputation.
Well, regulating safety policies is the duty of companies but following those strategies is the employee’s responsibility. Employees must utilize safety gear like clothing and equipment including helmets, gloves, eye-protectors, earplugs, dust masks and the most important thing is insulated work boots.
Along with using these safety gears, employees must keep these 15 tips in mind to help themselves and co-workers save from injuries. Here are the tips:
1. Use Machines and tools properly
To avoid hazards, you should correctly use the machines and tools. Follow the instructions for using any machine. Check whether your tools are properly maintained or not. If you’re using electrical equipment, use safety glasses. Also, save yourself from electrical shocks by using insulated clothes. Sometimes things go wrong or accidents happen due to improper use of machines or using wrong tools.
2. Follow procedure don’t go for shortcuts
Shortcuts increase the risk of an injury and it’s dangerous for you and others present around you. Shortcut includes cutting a few steps from the procedure or using the wrong tool as the right one is not available nearby. Employees may assume that they are saving time and money but it’s a harmful act. Always follow the whole procedure as shortcuts are unfit when it comes to safety.
3. Be aware of your surrounding
Check your surroundings at the workplace and make sure everything is up to the mark. It’s your responsibility to observe your co-workers and understand why the hazards happen with co-workers or in the surrounding. Take preventable measures.
4. Be mindful during extreme temperature
Sometimes you have to work outside in the cold atmosphere. Don’t take it lightly, instead, you should cover yourselves in three layers to protect yourself from the extreme weather.
5. Wear protective gears
Every job has different requirements so always wear gear according to your needs. If you are working at the construction site you should use a helmet and moc toe work boots. The helmet and boots will save your head and feet from falling heavy objects. If you are using electrical machines you should wear insulated clothes and eye-protectors.
6. Don’t ignore the unsafe condition
If you feel that the condition is not safe at the workplace or there are some technical, electrical or any other errors then you should inform your supervisor to look after the hazards or risks at the workplace.
7. Take breaks
Taking rest and breaks is very important for efficient work. Little breaks help you to increase your credibility.
8. Avoid drugs or alcohol
Don’t use alcohol or drugs at the workplace. It’s illegal and harmful to your health.
9. Make right posture
Right postures increase productivity at the workplace. If you sit for long hours at the job, it’s better to keep your shoulders in line and make your back straight to avoid spinal issues. If you have a job where you have to stand for long hours then wear the most comfortable work boots. They will make your feets relaxed and free from pain.
10. Reduce workplace stress
It happens sometimes that you feel tired after working for long hours or out of illness you feel disturbed. And all these factors can lead to a stressful atmosphere and affect your professional life. Give yourself time and talk to co-workers and it’s better to ask for help if you need it.
11. Know Your Emergency exit.
Knowing emergency exit routes is important in case of disaster at the workplace. This route allows you to leave the place safely. Sometimes police and fire workers use this route to enter inside and save the workers.
Few more tips
- You should report injuries immediately to a manager and get emergency help.
- You should obey safety signs.
- You should remain active and awake at the workplace as little negligence can lead to trouble
Final words
It’s the responsibility of the management system to provide free safety training courses to their workers so they can save their lives in case of hazards. The management should provide personal protective equipment (PPE) along with whole guidance like how, when and where to use them. Furthermore, employees’ carelessness is not acceptable at all. They should wear safety gear along with safety work boots.
