Staying safe at work is very important. Though some jobs are obviously more risky than others, you always want to reduce any risk of accident or illness no matter what is the workplace you share on a daily basis.
Your employer has to guarantee a totally safe environment, it’s true, but you should never forget your safety is also your personal responsibility and number one priority for you. It’s very easy to get lazy and not care enough until something wrong happens, which can lead to live with permanent injury effects for the rest of the life.
Focus on understanding all the risks of your workplace and make sure you are taking all necessary precautions to avoid any work-related injury.
(The following tips are generic and valid for all kind if work environments. Remember to always start by studying and following your workplace and tools safety guidelines)
1. Stay awake and alerted
Despite the fact it’s very normal to lose focus at work sometimes – we are humans after all – it’s crucial to learn how to fight these moments and to avoid getting sleepy at work: it will make a huge difference in dealing with injuries or work accidents.
Your overall health affects how you perform at work. There are three things which you can focus on:
- Proper sleep and rest
- Correct nutrition
- Reducing stress at work
The importance of sleeping well and enough is often underestimated: set a goal of 7-8 nightly hours, go to sleep earlier if needed and try to stick to the plan. While at work, instead, try to take some small breaks when you are overwhelmed, it will help you to get back to your duties way more focused.
Consider having some small healthy snacks during the day to reduce hunger. More generally, not skipping meals and improving the quality of your food it’s a very good idea.
Coping with stress when you already have to deal with an exhausting job is awful. Discuss any conflict with your coworkers or boss to reduce to a minimum all the possible sources.
You will be surprised by how much influence these small things have on your everyday life.
2. Avoid shortcuts
Procedures can be long and boring sometimes, it’s true. Perhaps you know easier ways to do the same task quicker. Unluckily, quicker is the opposite of safer: is it really worth to risk your health?
Follow the procedures and obey safety signs or tags. No matter how simple, funny or even stupid they seem, they are there to remind you of danger and help staying safe.
Whenever you are tempted to take the easy road, stop for a moment and realize procedures are there with the specific purpose of reducing risk. Embrace them.
3. Use mechanical aids if possible
Being able to lift something heavy doesn’t mean that you have to do it without any help, especially when you can use wheelbarrows, forklifts and cranes. If you have any mechanical aids, use them: trying to do something by yourself may not be a good idea.
If you are not allowed, don’t have permission or simply don’t have the required skills to operate a specific mechanical equipment, ask somebody to help you. Never use it without proper training provided by professionals.
4. Wear proper protective equipment
Wear all the proper, necessary protective equipment requested in your job to dramatically reduce risk of injury: protective clothes, safety shoes, gloves, earplugs, goggles or whatever is needed to avoid all the possible risks.
Never get lazy about clothes, footwear and accessories.
5. Stay sober
Believe it or not, about 3% of workplace fatalities are the effect of using alcohol or drugs.
No matter what you do and what your specific responsibilities at work are, you always have to be totally concentrated and able to maintain your coordination and alertness at the top to be safe.
Not doing it will cause not only risking your personal health but also the one from people near you. Avoid any alcohol or drug at work.
6. Speak up when you need to
If you are not sure and you have any concerns regarding safety hazards and risks at your workplace, talk your employer or human resources manager: they need to be aware of them and take care of your safety.
Your boss should immediately deal with unsafe or even unpleasant conditions, including apparently minor issues which still don’t let you perform at your best.
7. Learn your rights
Don’t forget yo know your rights. There are many organizations or unions which offer information and advice on workplace safety issues if you need some.
Even if your office is an average safe work environment, be always aware of potential risks and don’t be afraid to demand the best.