Prevent Workplace Injuries and Maintain Business as Usual

Every day, over 30,000 workers are injured or contract illnesses on the job.  This costs many employers a pretty penny, due to the loss of manpower that results from injuries and illnesses, along with the cost of worker’s compensation claims.  But many employers don’t realize that most of these injuries and illnesses developed on the job can be prevented.  Implementing some simple measures can not only save employers across the world a lot of money, it can also ensure a happier, healthier staff and more harmony in the workplace.  Here are some important points on how to reduce injuries in the workplace:

Maintaining a Hazard-Free Workplace

With preventing workplace injuries, there are some simple measures that many employers should put in place to ensure that the environment their employees are working in is low risk.  Here are some common measures many companies should take:

• Make sure workers aren’t lifting objects that exceed their physical capacity.
• Regularly inspect company vehicles and perform high-quality maintenance.
• Make sure floors that employees walk on are even and not too slippery.
• Hire adequate staff, therefore preventing workplace injuries that result from employees being overworked.
• Provide proper protection equipment to employees working in hazardous environments.
• Maintain overall order and cleanliness in the workplace.

Implement Employee Wellness Programs

While some employers implement employee wellness programs as part of their health insurance package, many do not realize that these programs can also reduce their worker’s compensation premiums.  Having healthier employees will greatly reduce injuries and illness in the workplace.  Wellness programs address health issues such as obesity, smoking and diabetes.  And when employers take an active interest in the well-being of their employees, it often motivates employees to take better care of themselves and recover from injuries and illnesses sooner.  Finally, employers can also save money on their worker’s compensation premiums and prevent workplace injuries by performing more thorough pre-employment testing, by providing physical exams to potential employees that look for common worker’s compensation liabilities.

Educate and Train Employees to Prevent Workplace Injuries

By setting up the right procedures and keeping employees informed and up to date on the proper procedures to follow and hazards to avoid, employers can greatly reduce injuries and illnesses in the workplace.  Here are some important steps to take in this aspect:

• Research safety risks that you may not be aware are commonly present in your company’s work environment.
• Pay attention to frequently occurring accidents, and put policies in place to keep them at bay and prevent injuries and illnesses in the workplace.
• Involve employees in the development of health and safety policies and procedures.  Listen and always encourage them to voice their concerns.
• Check out the website for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to make sure you are following the safety procedures required by them.   To further reduce injuries and illnesses in the workplace, many employers go beyond the OSHA requirements to create more policies protecting employees.
• Prevent injuries in the workplace by providing sufficient safety training to all employees.  Make sure the training is even more thorough for those employees whose jobs require them to use power equipment or hazardous chemicals and other substances.
• Regularly correct employees who fail to follow safety and health procedures.