Key Steps to Avoid Personal Injuries at Work

 

Key Steps to Avoid Personal Injuries at Work

In the course of working day to day, a lot of people do their jobs in different fields. In the process of performing their duties, they put their health and welfare at risk. While you may think that your job is harmless, you should never forget that injuries can occur anywhere at anytime. Getting injured at work can put anyone in pain and suffering. There may be losses to your financial aspects and it may even damage one’s career. This is why, as a worker, manager, employer, supervisor, or person in charge, you should know what things you need to do in order to prevent workplace-related injuries from occurring.

Why Should You Do Everything To Avoid Personal Injuries At Work?

Whether you’re an employee or an employer, personal injuries will have adverse effects on you.

Financial Costs on The EmployerApplication for Health Insurance

Workplace accidents that result in injuries always present financial troubles for you as an employer. These economic costs may be:

  • Repairs to damage properties
  • Compensation to the employee who has been injured
  • Retraining employees regarding workplace safety
  • Losses on your production
  • Injured employee’s medical and travel costs
  • Salary costs
  • Payment for additional supervision of your employees

 Damages to the Employee

When your employee gets injured, most of the damages are on him/her. He/she will not only be damaged physically, but also psychologically and financially.

Physical damages

Getting injured can be taxing on your worker’s health, he/she may suffer from:

  • Headaches
  • Inflammation
  • Migraines
  • Pain in your back, limbs, and the rest of your body
  • Body tension

Psychological damages

Getting involved in a workplace accident will have psychological effects on your employee. You may suffer from:

  • Stress
  • Anxiety
  • Unable to sleep
  • Fear
  • Depression

Financial damages

If you get involved in a workplace accident, your worker may:

  • Lose the ability to handle materials at work
  • Retire early from work because of permanent injury
  • Work less hours
  • Apply for a job with ‘lighter’ work

Broken Relationship Between The Employee And Employer

Employees who get involved in an accident can quickly regain and maintain their relationship with their colleagues. However, the relationship with their employer can become strained. Your employee will most likely develop resentment if they feel that you could’ve prevented the accident.

 

Steps To Help You Avoid Personal Injuries At Work

Put policies and procedures in place regarding workplace safety.

Have HR create a company handbook that lists all the necessary steps that everyone must take to prevent injuries at work.

The handbook should include:

  • How to properly store toxic and dangerous chemicals
  • Where specific materials and products should be stored
  • Appropriate workplace attire or uniform
  • How to correctly use PPE (Personal Protective Equipment)

Assign a specific person in charge of your company and workers’ safety.

Hire a safety coordinator, and discuss your current policies regarding safety. He/she can help you work out how to improve and implement these policies.

When hiring a safety coordinator:

  • Make sure that he/she is aware of all the duties he/she needs to perform
  • Licensed by the necessary agencies
  • Let him/her know that he/she has your full support
  • Regularly meet with him/her to discuss concerns and how to solve these concerns

Inform the people that work for you of what you expect about your workplace’s safety environment.

You should regularly remind your employees that safety is one of your company’s top priorities. Make sure that you do this verbally and in written forms such as memos.

You can inform your employees about safety by:

  • Being an example
  • Asking for any suggestions on how to make your company safer
  • Putting safety signs in different places at work

Have a safety officer regularly inspect your facility.Caution Wet Floor

Make sure that all of your staff follows all rules and regulations ensuring safety at work. You will beunable to check whether everyone is doing their part at all times. However, you can hire someone to do this on your behalf such as a safety officer.

Your safety officer can:

  • Check work areas at regular intervals
  • Check if safety equipment such as fire extinguishers are working
  • Check if additional safety equipment should be put in place

Provide the right tools for the work done in your company.

If your employees don’t have the right tools for performing their tasks, they will be forced to improvise. Improvising will often result in accidents just because you didn’t give them the needed equipment.

You can provide your employees with:

  • Hard hats
  • Work gloves
  • Safety glasses
  • Eyeshield
  • Workwear
  • Safety shoes
  • Earplugs

Have regular training on different scenarios that may put people at risk.

Regularly training for your employees will help refresh and improve their knowledge regarding the different safety precautions they should follow at work.

You can train them for:

Talk To Your Company Lawyer

You should consult your company lawyer about the legal steps that you can take to ensure that your workplace is safer. You can also ask him/her for industry standard legal protocol that you should follow in the event that one of your employees gets injured while at work. For instance, your employees may be entitled to file a worker’s compensation claim to answer for all their losses in case a workplace accident happens. Take note that the lawyer will also be able to give you the necessary legal guidance and help you figure what other policies that you should follow. So click here to get the appropriate legal advice you deserve for these kinds of situations.

At The End Of The Day

No matter how much you train your employees or how many precautions you take, accidents are bound to happen at work. However, this does not mean that you should neglect your duty of creating a safe work environment. While your employees are on your company’s premises, they are your responsibility, and if something happens, your organization will bear the associated costs.

Dianna CharlesDianna Charles

Dianna Charles is a promising young law enthusiast that hopes to bring her youthful spirit in her field. She tries to add a refreshing modern take to topics on the legal world that people can learn from. Dianna enjoys her free time with friends and family, and loves to cook for them.