Of these workers, 822,000 experience work-related depression or stress, 441,000 sustain injuries, and 142 lose their lives at work, according to the HSE. Maintaining a safe and healthy work environment is one of the many responsibilities business owners or employers in the UK must fulfill to boost employee safety and health. However, employers can't keep a healthy workforce on their own.
Employees should also be proactive in upholding a company's safety program. Doing so helps mitigate risks at the workplace resulting in increased productivity, improved employee engagement, and better safety records. If you're an employee working full time or part-time, below are workplace health and safety practices you should follow to make your work environment safer.
Keep Up With The Latest Safety Protocols
Occupational health and safety standards are ever-changing, with new rules implemented almost every day. For this reason, you must stay up to date with changes that impact your safety at work. Most importantly, make sure you receive proper training regarding new regulations. Note that even the slightest change in protocols within the office or the introduction of new machinery can increase workplace hazards if the proper safety measures are not in place. Therefore, ask your employer questions for clarification to avoid potential accidents.
Report Unsafe Working Conditions
Workers in any business setting should report unsafe working conditions to their superiors immediately they notice a hazard. However, most employees feel hesitant to notify managers when they spot threats out of fear they might get themselves or colleagues in trouble. Remember, the law requires managers to create a hazard-free working environment. So, if you report an unsafe condition, whether it's a ladder that's slightly bent or wet floors, they must fix it quickly and effectively.
While reporting unsafe working conditions is key to maintaining safety at the workplace, some employees fail to do so because they are not familiar with workplace hazards. With this in mind, invest time learning about everyday safety hazards in workplaces. It also doesn't hurt to ask your employer to clarify health and safety risks relevant to their business model. By understanding the risks you're likely to encounter at work, identifying them becomes easy. Moreover, you'll be able to take the necessary actions to avoid accidents.
Avoid Shortcuts
Skipping steps or procedures to complete tasks faster can be tempting. Sometimes, workers also avoid using the required tools or equipment to get the job done. As an employee, you should never take shortcuts to finish a task, regardless of how simple it might seem. Additionally, always use the right tools to perform tasks and follow the set rules for operating machines in the workplace.
Note that taking shortcuts might save you a few extra minutes to rest, but it only increases the risk of injury. So, make sure you're following set procedures to perform your duties and use the required tools. Also, remind your colleagues that workplace safety and handling standards are implemented to keep them safe.
Wear Protective Gear
Most of the time, workers overlook the importance of personal protective gear and opt to work without wearing the necessary protection. For instance, a worker might feel it's unnecessary to wear a hard hat or protective goggles. However, sometimes employees fail to take advantage of PPE because their employer doesn't provide it.
If you're an employer, you have a moral and legal duty to ensure that all workers use protective gear. In addition to reducing accident rates, providing PPE protects you from legal implications that occur when employees get injured or fall sick while on duty. After a work accident, employees have the right to file an injury claim to get compensation for medical expenses and lost wages. With the guidance of experienced attorneys working in reputable personal injury law firms, workers can easily collect evidence and facts that prove their employer failed to provide PPE, putting their lives at risk. As an employer, you'll not only lose a vast amount of cash compensating workers for bodily damage and lost income, but you also put your reputation on the line. So, make sure to provide high-quality protective gear and train your employees on their proper use.
Maintain Clean Workstations
Too often, employees assume that it is the employer's sole responsibility to create clean, safe, and healthy workspaces. They fail to understand that they also have to keep their work environment clean and safe at all times. As an employee, you should maintain high levels of hygiene at work by avoiding clutter near or on your workstation. Equally important, clean spillages and sanitise workstations, especially those shared with other employees. Given that slip, trip, and fall accidents are the leading causes of injuries in the workplace, keep an eye on spills on the floor. Then, clean them immediately to prevent slip accidents. Also, ensure electrical cables and cords don't run across walkways in the office to avoid tripping. Keep electric lines close to the wall and use cord protectors to maintain a tidy desk.
Don't Forget Ergonomics
Another critical step to maintaining workplace safety is following ergonomic standards. Typically, employers are required to adjust the work environment to fit the employee's physical needs. This includes redesigning workstations, creating a stress-free work environment, and investing in ergonomic furniture. From sitting at a computer desk to lifting heavy objects all day or standing at a machine, employees risk straining their backs, necks, and shoulders. With this in mind, ensure your employer meets all the ergonomic requirements. It's also crucial that you learn practical ways to maintain proper posture when working to avoid musculoskeletal injuries and take breaks frequently.
Maintaining a safe and healthy workplace is key to boost efficiency and productivity, reduce injury risks, and nurture a resilient safety culture. While workplace safety responsibilities lie in the hands of employers, employees must also invest in upholding safety practices. These steps include reporting unsafe conditions when they spot hazards, wearing protective gear, using tools and procedures as required, maintaining proper posture, and keeping their workstations clean.