1795 Henderson Hwy, P.O. Box 28060, RPO North Kildonan, Winnipeg, MB
Phone: (204) 471-5668 | Fax: (204) 478-6677 | info@indep.ca

Posts Tagged ‘safety measures’

6 Ways To Prevent Accidents In The Workplace

Posted by Victor Andres

Traffic cones and red stop sign. Road safety and prevention of accidents during road constructionEach and every day, Canadians head to work with the expectations that they will be able to complete their daily tasks free of injury or any other health risks. Certainly, we all deserve to work in safe and clean environments. And while most businesses take measures to ensure the safety of their employees, accidents are bound to happen. However, there are ways to ensure that such accidents are minimized and unable to present serious ill effects.

Of course, it’s important for all employees to be aware of the hazards that may come along with their jobs. And, naturally, some jobs present more risks than others. Construction workers, for example, often have to work with heavy equipment and at high elevations. Clearly, protective gear must be worn and extra precautions need to be followed. There are steps, however, that we all must take in order to be safe, no matter what type of environment we work in.

Here are six ways prevent accidents in the workplace:

1. Always be alert. There’s a reason why many workers insist upon that morning coffee. Being awake and alert isn’t just important in order to complete tasks adequately, but it also helps to keep both you and your co-workers out of harm’s way. According to Julian Hall on Character-Training.com, “most of the people who become involved with accidents at work are those who feel sleepy while working.”

2. Don’t rush your work. In many workplaces, time is of the essence. Employees are given deadlines that they must meet, so there is often a sense of urgency when it comes to completing certain tasks. It’s important, however, to take the appropriate amount of time to perform your duties safely. On Arbill.com, it is explained that “it’s natural to want to get the job finished on schedule — or even ahead of time — but with a ‘get it done quick’ attitude, accidents happen.”

3. Wear required safety gear. Many jobs require uniforms. But the jobs that require the wearing of safety equipment are the ones where dress codes are the most important. “A person who works in a factory has a greater chance of being involved in an accident at work,” reminds Hall, “Thus, he should be more vigilant about the wearing of proper uniforms and other protective garments when working. Never take safety to chance so always go to work with the proper dress code.”

4. Follow instructions to a tee. Sometimes, workers get complacent. It’s easy to fall into the trap of assuming that you’re an expert at your job, so you don’t need to follow every last instruction. However, paying attention to detail can help you to avoid making mistakes that can lead to injury. “Don’t take shortcuts,” insists Arbill.com, “stick to the instructions and work with diligence and awareness of your surroundings.”

5. Pay attention to and follow emergency drills. Workers also tend to take safety drills for granted. If they’re not “the real thing”, they often go through the motions carelessly. However, participation in such drills couldn’t be more important. As Hall points out, these emergency drills are conducted for the purpose of teaching employees what to do in the event of an emergency and so that they can avoid accidents.

6. Insist upon proper training. This is especially important if you plan on taking on a job that may present a number of risks. Knowing exactly what you’re in for and how to react during emergency situations is imperative for your safety. “It is stupid for anyone to take on a high-risk job especially if he has not been trained for the job,” states Arbill.com, “Imagine an untrained person doing the job of a fireman? Doing this will not only expose you to a great danger but will expose other people to danger as well.”

6 Ways To Ensure That Your Workplace Is A Safe One

Posted by Victor Andres

construction safety conceptIf there’s something that we can all agree on – most of us, anyway – it’s that nothing is more important than our health and safety. This is why it’s incumbent upon all of us to do our best to practice safety measures in our daily lives. The old parent-taught adage of “always look both ways before you cross the street” rings true for us all no matter our ages. So when it comes to being on the job, there’s no reason to stop taking care.

In fact, practicing safety at work is more than mandatory. Naturally, employers want their employees to work in an environment that promotes high levels of productivity. And that requires a workspace that is safe and fun to conduct business in. According to health specialist, Langdon Dement on EHSToday.com, “thousands of workers are injured on the job every year.” So what can you do to ensure your workplace is a safe one? Here are six top suggestions.

1. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. If you can’t reach something, if something is too heavy, if you’re unsure of how to manoeuvre around something (you get the picture), simply request assistance. Dement writes that injuries due to bending, climbing, reaching, standing, sitting, slipping or tripping without falling are incredibly common. When one overexerts him or herself, it is bound to lead to some type of injury. Get help instead.

2. Be prepared for a fire. People tend to not take fire drills very seriously. Often, they’ll stroll through the doors while having casual conversations with their co-workers. That doesn’t mean that your business shouldn’t be conducting fire drills. WikiHow.com states that “fires are potentially devastating occurrences, putting many businesses, especially restaurants, in jeopardy”. The site also insists that you make sure that working smoke detectors and fire extinguishers are always installed.

3. Be mindful of where you walk. Yes, it may sound like a no-brainer to “watch your step”. But taking your surroundings for granted can often lead to injury. Dement writes that being struck by an object has accounted for 8 per cent of workplace injuries and $4.10 billion in direct costs, based on the 2012 Liberty Mutual Workplace Safety Index. He recommends implementing policies that include the wearing of hardhats, glasses and goggles to protect workers in certain environments.

4. Clearly mark potential safety concerns with the proper signage and instructions. WikiHow.com provides us with this pertinent advice: “If an electrician is rewiring an area of the workplace, or if a crew is doing construction on a piece of railing, inform your employees by memo and by placing an appropriate, visible sign near where the potential hazard could occur. Don’t assume that people are smart enough to act accordingly. Spell it out for them very clearly.”

5. Maintain proper housekeeping. Who doesn’t like a tidy place? Keeping your office clean isn’t just great for aesthetics, it makes things safer. Dement writes that falling is among the top five ways that employees get injured on the job. The solution? “Proper housekeeping is one way to reduce injuries from falls,” he writes, “Keeping your work area clean and clutter-free is very important in preventing these kinds of injuries.”

6. Have an easily accessible first aid kit in the office. No matter what, accidents are bound to happen. So unfortunately, you won’t be able to prevent them all from taking place. However, you can certainly minimize the damage done by having help nearby. WikiHow.com recommends that you “consider investing in first-aid training or, at the very least, a first aid kit. First-aid training won’t keep the accident from happening in the first place, but it could help keep any injuries incurred during an accident from getting out of control.”