Accidents in the workplace are, in the best of situations, the cause of downtime, added stress, and many other problems. In the worst-case scenario, though, they can have life-changing consequences. According to government statistics from 2013/2014, there were 133 worker deaths and 70 members of the public were fatally injured. Many of these accidents could have been avoided with the proper training and on-site equipment.

Educating Your Employees

The biggest way you can help your employees is through effecting workplace culture. Educating your employees through the correct training is critical to limiting the number of accidents in the workplace. Office buildings packed with electrical equipment are fire risks so it’s important that assessments of the premises are reviewed regularly and that all members of staff are aware of any of the risks identified. Exit routes should be both clearly marked and clear from obstructions at all times. You should also regularly check the condition of fire escape doors and check that emergency lighting is always fully operational.

If you work with manual labourers, perhaps on a construction site, your employees need to be trained to utilise a proper lifting technique to reduce the chance of future, long-term injuries. When possible, manual handling like this should be outsourced to mechanical equipment. There are many service providers that offer a variety of courses to help avoid these kinds of issues.

Sourcing the Proper Equipment

Once you know all of your employees are aware of the risks of their environment, it’s your responsibility to also verify that any necessary equipment on your premises is up to code. Any heavy machinery should be equipped with safety devices, such as sound signals or safety guards, and first-aid facilities need to be regularly inspected by a professional to ensure that you can offer suitable care for your workers. Buying your equipment from experienced suppliers such as Handling Equipment Online is the best way to prevent equipment-related injuries. If your business is running on a limited budget and you are instead considering buying used equipment, ensure that you do so from a trusted supplier. Any savings you make in the short-term could come back to haunt you in the form of costly legal fees from a future dispute.

Getting the Right Insurance

Finally, you should realise that even with the proper training and equipment, accidents in the workplace can still happen. You can only work to minimise them and make sure you are covered by the correct insurance policies if anyone is ever hurt on your premises. Take out protection that includes all risks insurance, liability cover, and professional indemnity insurance. This will offer you all-round protection against damage to on-site equipment, liability occurring from professional negligence, and claims regarding injuries, or worse, to third-parties.