10 ACTIONS YOU CAN MAKE TODAY TO IMPROVE WORKPLACE SAFETY

Safety-related incidents can affect overall productivity, quality of work, and employee morale. In many cases, workplace accidents are preventable. Here are 10 rules for workplace safety to help keep yourself injury free regardless of your job description or work environment.

1. Preventing workplace incidents is everyone’s job, and your personal safety is your responsibility. Everyone has a role in making sure a workplace is safe, from the administrative assistant who gets the boxes of newly delivered office supplies unpacked promptly to the production director who makes sure every person on the line is adequately trained for their position. When you take charge of your own safety, it creates a safer place for all employees.

2. Dress appropriately, from clothing to footwear. Avoiding dangling jewelry, clothing, or hair around equipment and wearing closed-toe shoes can go a long way in minimizing common workplace injuries and accidents. When and where applicable, always wear personal protective equipment (PPE), and inspect it for damage before and after use, so that it can be repaired or replaced promptly.

3. Keep work areas neat and tidy. At the beginning and end of each shift, clear away trash, pick up cords and cables, and put office supplies away. Gather any materials you’ll need to complete your work. This will avoid losing things as well as having to bend or stretch unnecessarily, trying to reach objects that are misplaced or out of reach.

4. Follow the rules. Don’t cut corners or take unnecessary risks. Workplace safety rules are often developed in response to hazard and risk assessments. They are by nature designed to minimize the chances that an employee will be injured while carrying out assigned tasks.

5. Report workplace accidents or safety incidents. Always report incidents to your supervisor immediately so that the appropriate steps can be taken. These can include taking care of an injured employee, fixing the problem that caused the injury, or ensuring regulatory, state or federal reporting compliance.

6. Know and follow emergency procedures. To manage emergencies safely and effectively, it’s imperative that all employees are trained in and follow emergency procedures. Seeking shelter in a tornado is very different from evacuating due to a fire. Know your facility’s emergency exit routes, shelter areas, and the location of safety equipment such as first aid materials, and fire extinguishers.

7. Lift, bend, and stretch with care to avoid injury.“It was heavier than I thought” is a common statement after suffering a strain injury. Musculoskeletal problems caused by poor technique when picking up boxes or stretching to reach objects are a common cause of workplace injury. Test the weight and balance of the object you are handling if in doubt before lifting or moving items. If you’re not sure how to best lift, bend or stretch at work, ask your supervisor.

8. Don’t operate tools or machinery that you haven’t been trained for. While some tools or equipment may seem intuitive, it’s always best to avoid using items unless you’ve been trained in proper operation. This is for your safety as well as the safety of those around you.

9. Avoid using improvised Items for climbing and use ladders correctly. Never use improvised items to climb with. That box, chair, pallet, or desk might be tempting to use for climbing but don’t do it! 11.7% of workplace fall fatalities occur working at heights of just 6-10 feet. Only use properly inspected and maintained ladders for climbing and don’t overextend. If your belt buckle extends past the side railing of the ladder you are overextending, greatly increasing your risk of falling.

10. Operate Vehicles Responsibly. Chances are that operating a vehicle will be the most dangerous thing you will do today. Regardless of if you are commuting to and from work, covering the story, meeting a client for an advertisement, delivering that downed route, or operating a large truck to deliver that commercial print job. You risk your own health and safety as well as that of the general public around you if you are distracted, driving aggressively, talking on the phone or driving too fast. Don’t forget to wear your safety belt! It’s the law, and the single greatest thing you can do to increase your chances of surviving a crash.

These 10 rules for workplace safety can be applied in every APG workplace. In a safe working environment, the quality and quantity of work can be maintained without the staffing issues caused by unexpected employee absences. When you commit to working safely it benefits everyone, most of all yourself!