Thanks to various laws and directives, we can all enjoy working in safer environments. Employers have a legal duty of care towards our welfare in the workplace. That means we are less likely to get injured during the course of our duties.
The thing is, accidents in the workplace do happen. Thankfully, they don’t happen as often as they used to in the past. As an employee, the last thing you want to do is sustain an injury at work. Sure, your employer has to ensure that what you do is safe each day.
But, there is also some onus on you as an employee to make your environment safe. So, how can you do that? The following tips can help you get started:
Keep your working area clean and tidy
Your employer might hire cleaners to ensure that all parts of the premises are clean. But, it’s not their job to ensure that everyone’s workstation is tidy. That is your job!
Before you finish work each day, spend a few minutes tidying up any paperwork and loose items. That way, there is a lower risk of slip and trip hazards occurring near your workstation. There’s also another reason why keeping your working area clean, and tidy is a good idea. You’ll be able to arrange any tools and materials better!
Ensure your employer has a health and safety policy
Usually, when you start work with a company, you get given an employee handbook. You’ll often find a section covering the firm’s health and safety policy in them. If your employer doesn’t have one, or even an employee handbook, ask about their policy.
Take precautions in unsafe environments
There will be some roles where you must come into contact with dangerous materials. In those cases, you should take the necessary precautions. For example, this will mean wearing personal protective clothing. You may also need to observe unsafe material handling procedures.
If you’re unsure, ask your superiors for further clarification. The last thing you want to have happen is an accident at work. And your employer won’t relish dealing with compensation claims from occupational injury solicitors!
For roles working with dangerous items, employers put new starters on safety training courses. If that hasn’t happened, demand that you get the right training before you work.
Encourage safer working practices
It’s likely that you will work as part of a team. You might not think it. But, some of your co-workers might not be as safety-aware as you! If you spot unsafe working practices, do something about them.
You can use the opportunity to educate your co-workers on safe handling procedures. If safety training is lax at your workplace, get that problem resolved. Report the issue to your bosses and your HR department.
It’s in their (legal) interests to ensure that all staff knows what they are doing. By making a stand, you can lower the risk of your co-workers getting injured at work.
I hope you’ve found today’s blog post useful. Thanks for checking it out!