For employees, staying healthy at the workplace means continued well-being. For employers, aside from wanting the best for their employees, healthy and safe workplace means productivity and cohesiveness. And, for the most part, American workplaces are getting safer with each year. The United States Department of Labor says that worker injuries and illnesses are down to only 3 people per 100 yearly, compared to the 10 per 100 workers in 1972.
But that is not to say that accidents don’t happen. Three workers in 100 could mean that someone you know, or someone in your company gets hurt while on the job. For employers, aside from the physical harm to your valued employees, there are also financial costs to accidents in the workplace. And if a business is at fault, that will mean hefty fees for the business. A loan for workers compensation plan can help to lighten the financial burden. And there are other ways to mitigate the fall out. However, preventing an accident in the first place is the goal all employers should shoot for.
Here is how to promote a safer environment as an employer or as an employee.
Guard against trips and falls
One of the most common injuries in the workplace is falls, according to the CDC. And this can happen anywhere. Office workers are as susceptible to this as construction workers. And retail workers, as well as service employees are all exposed to occasions where a wet floor can cause a stumble. Aside from wet floors, falls can happen when someone is standing on a chair and reaching for something, or when a rug is loose or a ladder is unsteady.
To stay safe and prevent falls in the workplace, employers can make sure that floor cleaning times happen at night. This will allow sufficient time for the floors to dry before everyone clocks in. Some floor waxing solutions are more slip prone than others. Employers should be aware of which solutions are less likely to cause falls. Ladder use should be monitored where applicable.
On the employees side, they should report anything that could be a slip hazard, as well as any sightings of liquid on the floor.
Prevent neck and back strain while sitting
A common office worker complaint is the pain and strain to one’s neck and back after hours doing desk work. A report published by the American Chiropractic Associationstates that back pain causes the most missed work days in America. Our bodies were not made to sit in front of a computer or be inactive for most of the day. But what options does an employer have if the business revolves around paper shuffling or other “office” related duties? Thankfully, there are various ways that an alert employer can help provide an environment that places less strain on one’s back.
Here are a few ways to lessen the back strain of officer workers
- Provide standup desks or desks that adjust to standing height.
- Make sure workers have screens and keyboards properly positioned so that there is minimal stress placed on wrists, neck, and back.
- Provide quality office chairs that are ergonomic.
- Encourage the use of breaks, so that no employee continues to work stretches at a time without moving.
Prevent back injuries while lifting
Back injury or strain can happen while at the desk, or while lifting an object in the course of one’s work. Lifting heavy objects without doing so in a safe manner, can cause a person to pull a muscle, which can result in a back giving out.
Employees should ask for help if the object that needs lifting is heavy. Employers should teach employees how to lift heavy objects safely. For example, using the strength of one’s legs instead of straining one’s back muscles. Management should encourage everyone to help those they see struggling with something heavy.
Practice awareness and combat sleepiness
An attitude of alertness in the workplace will keep all workers more aware of their surroundings. And thus, curb the number of accidents that occur due to sleepiness or loss of attention or concentration.
If you find that your employees are groggy on the job, then look into strategies that can help reduce their sleepiness. Providing a space for them to take naps at the workplace has become popular among many Fortune 500 companies, and could be worthwhile to consider.
Providing a safe working environment should be a goal that all businesses and employers strive toward making a reality.
Article Submitted By Community Writer
