Workplace safety should be a priority for employers and employees alike, as accidents can happen in the workplace unexpectedly. Taking the right steps to prevent accidents and injuries from occurring is beneficial for not only the well-being of all employees but also contributes to overall productivity and positivity in the workplace. Let’s explore some helpful tips about how to ensure safety and prevent accidents and injuries from occurring in the workplace.

Employee Training 

One of the crucial steps in preventing workplace accidents is to ensure that your company has training sessions in which all employees are taught how to properly use equipment, report accidents, assess potential hazards, locate emergency supplies, and more. It is also important for your company to alert their employees regarding any safety policies that have changed. Recurring training sessions is also crucial in order to keep employees up to date and refresh their minds. 

Personal Protective Equipment

It is also important for companies to provide their employees with the proper personal protective equipment (PPE). PPE includes various pieces of equipment that are used to reduce exposure to hazardous chemical, electrical, mechanical, and radiological materials. PPE can include items such as gloves, glasses, reflective vests, ear coverings, harnesses, and shoes. It is vital that you regularly assess the condition of your PPE and check for any damages that may make it ineffective. 

Practice Safe Lifting Techniques

Another essential preventative safety measure is to practice safe lifting techniques, also known as lifting ergonomics, if you are in an industry in which heavy lifting is required. To properly lift heavy items, you will want to consider a few things:

  • Ensure that the item is not too heavy to lift
  • Make sure you can get a good grip on the object you are going to carry
  • Check that the path you are taking is unobstructed
  • Do not lift with you back; instead, engage your core and bend at the hips
  • Do not twist your torso
  • Keep the item below shoulder level
  • Make sure that what you are carrying does not obstruct your vision

Install Properly Lighting

Having proper lighting installed in your workplace is another crucial part of ensuring workplace safety. Good lighting is crucial in work areas, entrances and exits, footpaths, and parking areas. Proper lighting will help the employee to spot any potential hazards and avoid them. 

Proper Signage

It is crucial that you have adequate signage in your workplace to alert employees of any dangerous conditions or hazards that may exist. For example, it is important to place a caution sign in an area where there is a slippery surface. This will help to prevent and reduce the risk of accidents in the workplace.  

Conduct Regular Machine and Equipment Maintenance

Faulty and poorly maintained equipment and machinery poses a threat to the workplace and increases the potential for an incident to occur. It is vital that machinery and equipment are regularly inspected to ensure everything is working properly and will not threaten employee safety. 

What To Do If You Are Injured in the Workplace

If you are injured in the workplace, it is important to take the necessary steps in order to protect yourself and your rights.  A Los Angeles work injury lawyer can provide you with legal expertise and guidance as you pursue a workers’ compensation claim. A lawyer will ensure that you receive maximum compensation and get the justice you deserve.