As an employer, you’ve got a whole range of responsibilities to think about when it comes to your employees. If there hasn’t been an accident in your workplace that has led to an injury or a compensation claim, it’s tempting to put attention to safety somewhere near the bottom of your list of priorities. But this can be a big mistake. According to the US Department of Labor, injuries caused by slips, trips, and falls are responsible for the second-highest number of lost working days. Overall, falls account for over 8 million hospital emergency room visits per year! When they happen in the workplace, they don’t only result in lost productivity, they can also result in lawsuits which can cripple your business.
So, what are the most effective ways to make your workplace safer?
Risk Assessments
Thoroughly inspecting your workplace for potential hazards, and assessing the severity of the risks is vital. But it’s not enough to have a file of risk assessments gathering dust on some manager’s shelf. Action needs to be taken to mitigate or remove any risks identified. And they need to be used for training and awareness so that every employee is made aware of the hazards that do exist. To fight trip and fall lawsuits effectively, you’ll need to prove that you took reasonable steps to avoid such accidents- so don’t skimp on the documentation.
Personal Responsibility
Creating a culture of safety awareness and personal responsibility can dramatically decrease the number of slips, trips, and falls occurring in your workplace. Reinforcing a message of “If you see a hazard, you own it”– i.e. you are responsible for ensuring that nobody is injured by it– will increase the chances that employees will take action to protect themselves and their colleagues.
Clean, Dry Floors
The most common reason for slip injuries is wet floors – especially if the floors are made of marble or other polished surfaces. While cleaners and maintenance staff should of course place warning signs where they’re highly visible, ensure that every employee knows where to access them – perhaps to warn of a spill from a coffee cup or water bottle.
Remove Trip Hazards
Ensure that desk drawers, especially those near ground level, are correctly closed as soon as they’re not in use. Tripping over an open metal desk drawer will not only result in a bruised shin, but it can also have far more serious consequences if, for example, the victim is carrying hot coffee, or crashes to the ground.
Good Lighting
While it’s likely that you have adequate lighting in open areas, it may not be the same in store-cupboards. If items are left lying on the floor, a trip in the dark could easily ensue. So it’s not only about good lighting, it’s also about maintaining tidy and well-organized storage areas.
Proper Footwear
Finally, while you may not want to be too prescriptive about the way your employees dress, it doesn’t hurt to encourage them to choose footwear with non-slip soles and low heels.
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