Vincent Benjamin
When it comes to maintaining a safe workplace, the burden doesn’t solely fall on management or employees. Safety is everyone’s responsibility, ensuring each person plays a role in preserving their own wellbeing and the wellbeing of others.
By following certain safety best practices, you can make sure you do your part to keep yourself and your colleagues safe. If you aren’t sure where to begin, here are ten common workplace safety tips everyone should know.
1. If You See Something, Say Something
Reporting unsafe work conditions is crucial. It creates opportunities for hazards to be addressed before they cause harm.
If you’re an employee who notices an issue, speak with your direct supervisor immediately. If your employer has a standard reporting procedure, follow that as well, ensuring every base is covered.
2. Review New Safety Procedures Immediately
When your employer releases new safety procedure information, review it right away. Often, the updated process is in response to a change in the workplace, an update to laws or regulations, or a new perspective on a best practice.
If you don’t review the new details, you may act unsafely without knowing it. Plus, Not only could you be putting yourself or someone else in harm’s way, but you are also failing to follow policy, something that could cost you the job.
3. Say No to Shortcuts
When you’re working with machinery or tools, shortcuts often mean ignoring best practices or safety procedures. A little bit of time savings isn’t worth the risk, so say “no” to shortcuts that don’t align with workplace safety standards.
4. Be Proactive About Stress
Stress can be incredibly harmful, especially if it’s prolonged. Take a proactive approach to stress by making time for yourself every day. Additionally, focus on good nutrition and getting enough sleep, as those are both critical for long-term health.
5. Wear Your PPE
Personal protective equipment (PPE) can be cumbersome or uncomfortable, but it’s required for a reason. It gives you physical protection from a hazard that is known to be in the workplace. Make sure you always wear your PPE, as it can make a real difference should an accident occur.
6. Embrace Ergonomics
Body positioning can play a big role in injuries. By embracing good ergonomics, you protect yourself from sprains, strains, repetitive motion injuries, and other physical harm that can come from poor posture or body positions.
7. Take Your Breaks
Breaks give you a chance to recharge. If you skip breaks, odds are higher that you’ll lose focus, make mistakes, or otherwise succumb to the side effects of fatigue. By taking your breaks, you give yourself a chance to rest, making it easier to return to work with renewed vigor.
8. Learn Industry Safety Standards
Along with any processes set forth by your workplace, it’s smart to familiarize yourself with OSHA and other industry safety standards. These give you insights into best practices for people working in your field, making it easier to remain safe.
9. Advocate for the Safety Team
Whether you actively join the safety team or simply support its existing, advocating for creating or maintaining an employee-led safety team can improve your workplace. It ensures that workers who are often highly aware of risks are part of the equation, increasing the odds that issues will get noticed and addressed early.
10. Participate in Safety Surveys
While surveys in the workplace aren’t always fun, safety surveys can be crucial for injury avoidance. If your employer sends one out, provide open, honest answers, ensuring the company is well aware of anything they may need to address.
We Can Give More Safety Tips
If you’re looking for more safety tips, the team at VB can help. Contact us today.
