How Can Accidents Be Prevented In The Workplace?

How Can Accidents Be Prevented In The Workplace?

While workplace accidents are common, many are completely preventable. All employers have a responsibility to protect the health and safety of their workers but it is also up to employees to be alert, aware and up to date with all of their training and make safety practices a top priority. Some of the most helpful practices include:

• Training – educating both employees and management in order to continually cultivate safety standards
• Protective equipment – personal protection equipment (PPE) is essential and should be enforced within the workplace. All employees need to understand how to properly use PPE and know to report any defects or loss
• Signage – having signage in place to alert people of certain risks is also essential and should encourage extra care to be taken around certain areas of the premises
• Maintenance – regular maintenance and inspections of equipment helps to pinpoint an issue before it becomes a problem. Work equipment must be free from faults or damage and be working safely and correctly
• Eliminate shortcuts – shortcuts breed danger and are a leading cause of accidents. Safety guidelines and instructions must be followed to make sure the job is done right no matter how long it takes. Health and safety is far more important than a deadline!
• Remain alert – employers must ensure that employees are given enough breaks to recuperate and rest. Employees need to avoid behaviours that contribute to fatigue like not getting enough sleep and to take their allocated breaks to keep hydrated and alert
•  Be vigilant – if there is an accident waiting to happen at work don’t wait for it to happen, report it. Alternatively appoint a safety team who can look out for unsafe work practices. Pay extra attention to common accidents and develop strategies to stop these from happening again
• Keep workspaces clean and free of clutter – a well organised tidy working environment will rarely result in an accident. A messy untidy environment on the other hand is unsafe, for example a spillage or boxes that haven’t been disposed of and left in a corridor could be could result in a slip, trip or fall accident

Unfortunately safe working practices aren’t always followed and equipment is not always up to standard leading to accident and injury. This is where a solicitor can advise and pursue compensation if the injury has been caused through no fault of your own. We’re here to help.

  Call us now on 0800 028 2060 or click here to start your claim.