We spend a considerable portion of our lives in our workplaces, which is why the leading employers around the world are focusing on the health and safety of their employees. It is often advised to promote healthy habits in the workplace so that workers do not suffer from health issues, such as obesity.
Still, despite these efforts, a significant number of workplace injuries, and even deaths, are reported globally — resulting in a considerable number of workplace injury lawsuits. These injuries vary in intensity from minor falls to fractures to chemical burns at work. There are steps workers can take to help prevent injuries. Below are six of the most effective ways to keep yourself safe from workplace injuries.
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Wear PPE:
The importance of wearing Personal Protective Equipment or PPE is a no brainer, but many workers around the world choose not to strictly adhere to this mandatory requirement. If you are one of them, then it is time to start respecting yourself and your coworkers by wearing adequate safety gear.
Get proper training:
Many companies schedule training for their new employees so that they can understand the work processes and the protocols that must be followed. Despite these efforts, some employees are reluctant to speak up when they do not understand something, which means they enter into the field without having the mandatory knowledge and understanding about their job. This can prove to be quite dangerous.
Therefore, never refrain from asking questions from your supervisor if you are confused about something, and if your company doesn’t offer training, ask your supervisor to schedule some training for you.
Be on the lookout:
It is important to focus on your work, but it is equally important to be aware of your surroundings. This is especially true in a workplace with serious hazards. By doing so, you will be able to prepare yourself from an impending accident way before it happens, which can potentially save your life.
Report violations:
Observant employees will be able to point out safety discrepancies that may be happening in the workplace. Note down any violations of safety protocols that you notice and report them to your supervisor. This will allow him or her to take care of the situation before any injuries occur and wreck someone’s life. If you feel that you will be ratting out your colleague by behaving this way, then go to your colleague directly and ask him to follow the safety protocols. If he refuses to budge, then take it to your supervisor’s attention.
Take regular breaks and stretch:
Taking regular breaks is incredibly important regardless of whether you are working at a desk or a labor-intensive jobsite because it gives your mind some respite and your body a breather from the same monotonous activity. Therefore, schedule regular breaks amid your work routine and stretch your body to facilitate the circulation of blood in your body. This will allow your brain to work better when you get back to work because more brain cells get oxygenated due to better circulation.
Understand your work ergonomics:
Work ergonomics refers to the correct postures that must be observed so that your body does not break under constant pressure. For example, if your job requires you to sit at a desk, then there is a specific posture that you need to maintain to minimize the pressure on your spine.
We go to work to provide for our families, which in itself must be a strong enough reason to pay heed to all these ways to prevent workplace injuries.