The last thing you want to deal with as your company expands is a workplace accident or injury. Accidents on the job can cause physical harm and undue stress and hardship for employees and employers alike. Accidents in the workplace occur more frequently than you might think. A variety of risks and hazards may exist in the workplace, especially when working at heights or in other areas where falling or encountering hazardous materials is expected.
It should be you and your employer’s top priority to ensure that the environment in which you work is safe so that accidents, injuries, and wrongful death can be avoided. In the event of an accident, your team should have processes and procedures in place to deal with any emergency that may arise.
You can take some basic steps to ensure that injuries do not occur to you at work. Putting these tips into action will assist you and your coworkers in avoiding costly accidents:
- Maintain a clean work environment
Many people do not associate cleanliness with avoiding accidents, but organization and cleanliness at the workplace does reduce the likelihood of injury. A cluttered, unclean work environment is more difficult to navigate, making workers more vulnerable to slip and fall injury. Employees should follow simple safety tips to avoid accidents, such as properly running computer cables and cords along the walls and not through the center of a room to avoid creating a tripping hazard. Whether you work in a manufacturing warehouse or in an office cubicle, keeping the area clean and well-maintained reduces the likelihood of accidents.
- Display appropriate signage
Employers should post signs reminding employees of proper safety procedures in prominent locations and in areas where safety should be practiced with extra caution. It should be made mandatory to post proper signs everywhere necessary to alert workers of potential dangers. It is natural to not always be aware of every minor detail while concentrating on work. Hence the importance of putting up signs to remind employees of their surroundings.
- Ensure maintenance on company vehicles is up to date
Employers who provide company vehicles to employees to complete daily tasks must ensure that the vehicles are well maintained and serviced regularly. This may seem obvious, but according to some reports, the cost of accidents caused by neglected vehicle maintenance exceeds $2 billion each year. This major risk can be avoided simply by taking care of the vehicles regularly. Maintenance records are likely to be one of the first things a lawyer will look for if a malfunctioning vehicle causes injury to an employee.
- Report potential hazards and accidents
Most employees are aware that they must report an actual accident, but employers must encourage their employees to bring any foreseeable danger to management’s attention, as well. Casualties could be greatly reduced if all employees reported dangerous or hazardous workplace conditions when they arise. Form a workplace safety team or workgroup with other coworkers to monitor potential hazards at work and respond quickly in the event of an emergency.
- Provide appropriate training
All employees must be properly trained to safely perform the duties required of their positions. This includes instructing them on how to use equipment and adhere to safety procedures while on the job. This should be made mandatory for all companies and their employees. Proper training on how to deal with a problematic situation can significantly reduce the chances of a serious injury to employees or others.
- Provide the necessary equipment
All employees must also be adequately outfitted for their jobs. Safety harnesses, gloves, and goggles are all examples of safety equipment that can protect workers from dangerous conditions on the job. Employees should never perform hazardous duties without wearing the proper safety equipment. Making it mandatory will turn it into a habit, reducing the number of workplace mishaps and saving a lot of money in workers’ compensation insurance, fines for violating safety regulations, and lawsuits.
- Avoid taking shortcuts
Accidents frequently occur, not because people do not know what safety precautions to take, but because people take shortcuts when they are familiar with their job or are in a hurry. A worker, for example, may climb scaffolding without a safety harness because they only need to complete one small task, and gearing up takes time. That can mean the difference between a minor injury and a potentially fatal accident.
- Stay alert, stay alive
Problems may arise at any point in time. Maintain vigilance while on the job. Stay awake and aware while performing your duties to improve your performance and avoid being hurt or causing harm to others. Workplace safety is not a static concept. It evolves for various reasons, such as new management, new employees, new equipment, or a new facility. There is always room to improve workplace safety standards.
- Take every step carefully
Filing workers’ compensation claims can be intimidating and confusing, but it is something we do every day. While you focus on your recovery, legal professionals will make certain that your claim is filed correctly and on time. In some cases, the injured party can return to work. In other cases, injuries do not heal and a person is left with permanent injuries.
If you have been injured on the job, our San Antonio work injury lawyers are here to help you every step of the way. Some cases may result in a workers’ compensation claim being denied. Whatever the case may be, rest assured that our attorneys have seen it all before and can assist you in navigating this area of the law. Schedule a no-obligation consultation today to discuss the specifics of your case. Our knowledgeable attorneys are available to answer all your questions and provide you with the representation you require.