REASONS WHY WE CARE ABOUT SAFETY 

Health- The main objective for safety in the workplace is keeping the people who work there healthy. When even just one person does not care about safety it not only puts them at risk, but it also creates risk for injury for anyone working around that individual.

Livelihoods- Injuries, even just small ones, can impede our ability to earn an income. Everyone depends on the wages they make at work to ensure their families have the basic necessities of life.

Business Continuity– Over the last few decades many workplaces have felt the tightening grip of international manufacturers and the growth of the internet allowing for products to be made and shipped anywhere in the world. Because of these pressures, businesses have to limit unnecessary expenses to continue on. Businesses that promote safe workplaces and have employees who embrace working safely help limit costs associated with incidents and injuries. Also, many clients and consumers want to buy products from companies who have safe workplaces and are not injuring their employees. When each individual employee cares about safety it helps to ensure that the company will face less of these unnecessary costs associated with injuries.

WORKPLACE SAFETY TIPS FOR EVERY EMPLOYEE 

Safety programs encourage the shared responsibility of everyone in the workplace:

1. BE AWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS: The best way to keep yourself safe is to be aware of your surroundings. The more familiar you are with your tasks and workplace, the more aware you’ll be of the potential hazards. Knowing your surroundings and being aware of potential hazards will help you and your co-workers avoid unnecessary or dangerous situations.

2. KEEP CORRECT POSTURE: If you work at a desk, you need to make sure you have good posture to avoid back problems, neck pain, and even carpal tunnel. Of course, if you do have to lift things at work, be sure to keep your back straight and lift with your legs. And if you ever need to lift something you think might be too heavy, take a few extra seconds to find the mechanical aid that can help you, or lift with a partner.

3. TAKE REGULAR BREAKS: The more tired you are, the less aware you are of your surroundings, and the more at risk you are for an injury. Take the breaks you’re given on a regular schedule to keep yourself fresh, and try to schedule your more difficult tasks for the beginning of your shift when you’re most alert.

4. NEVER TAKE SHORTCUTS ON PROCEDURES: It’s important to always use every tool and machine you’re working with according to instruction. Shortcuts lead to injury and aren’t worth the small amount of time they might save you.

5. BE AWARE OF NEW SAFETY PROCEDURES: While your employer is responsible for providing the proper training, and your supervisor will make sure you’re assigned to a training time, it’s your responsibility to ensure you understand the new safety procedures and implement them properly before you use any new machines.

8. KEEP EMERGENCY EXITS CLEAR: Never place anything in front of an emergency exit door, even if it’s only for a few minutes. While this might sound like a no-brainer, it’s surprising how many ladders, trolley carts, and even forklifts get set in front of emergency exits.

REPORT UNSAFE CONDITIONS: The only way to stop unsafe conditions from happening is to report them to supervisors as soon as you notice them and help be part of the solution. Your supervisor is legally obligated to provide all employees with a safe working environment, and will take care of any unsafe conditions, but they have to be aware of those conditions to do so.
ALWAYS WEAR PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT: Make sure you’re always wearing the correct personal protective equipment (PPE) provided to you by your employer. Whether it’s something as small as earplugs, or something as large as a chemical suit, this PPE exists for a reason.

KEY SAFETY RESPONSIBILITIES OF EVERY EMPLOYEE

Safety is the business and responsibility of every employee and can be achieved through proper education, training, use of protective equipment and by following safety rules, regulations, standards, and laws. Each employee is responsible for understanding and practicing appropriate safety procedures.

1. Act as safely at work as you would elsewhere, if not more so.
2. Use the tools available to you to maintain a safe environment.
3. Educate yourself on hazards, safety practices, and rules.
4. Communicate about unsafe practices and conditions.
5. Identify and lower your Level of Acceptable Risk (LOAR).
6. Remember to follow safety rules and regulations. It isn’t optional – it’s the law.

FINAL WORD

We all have personal reasons for why we should want to work safe, but there should also be focus on the reasons outside personal ones. We depend on each other not only to remain healthy while at work, but also to help the company we work for continue to stay in business and provide the jobs that allow us to have an income.