Being injured at work can lead to not only lost income and possibly permanent injuries on the employee’s side, but also a drop in productivity from the employer’s perspective. This is why establishing a safe workplace is both legally necessary and ethically, morally, and financially prudent.
Let’s talk about how you can help prevent injuries from occurring in the workplace, and where you can go for a workers’ compensation medical evaluation and treatment services here in the Grand Junction area.
Tips to Prevent Getting Injured in the Workplace
The best way to avoid these unforeseen accidents is to implement safety measures to prevent work-related injuries in the first place. Here are our best tips:
Always Have Protective Equipment
Ensure that you or your employees receive appropriate protective gear. Depending on the type of work, proper protective equipment may include hard hats, goggles, earmuffs, gloves, face masks, boots, and even wrist braces (to prevent carpal tunnel syndrome).
This includes providing ergonomic furniture for employees, including ergonomic chairs and keyboards. Ergonomic equipment and furniture is a preventive measure against repetitive-motion injuries.
Follow the Company’s Safety and Wellness Plan
The management should implement a well-crafted safety and wellness plan for employees. This should cover a wide range of safety measures that are specifically applicable to your workplace – and every workplace is indeed very different.
The plan should consider workers’ input to ensure that the program is actually helpful, and not just a “checkmark” system. Workers’ input is a critical resource that employers should never ignore, as workers are the people who are facing risks daily.
Keep Work Areas as Clean and Dry as Possible
A significant contributor to hazards at work is an untidy environment. It should be free of clutter and debris, and not easily cause slip-and-fall accidents. Cleaning stations should be readily available, especially for workplaces involving hazardous fluids or chemicals.
Don’t Take Shortcuts
This tip is especially applicable where heavy machinery and vehicles are necessary to perform work. Every missed step in a work process is a safety hazard.
If you think applying a specific process or tool can benefit the workplace, don’t hesitate to bring up the suggestion to the management or owners.
Don’t Take Breaks for Granted
Whether it’s the lunch break or a 15-minute rest break, these are necessary to rest the eyes and muscles and (in the case of meals or snacks) to restore the body. Ensure that employees have access to plenty of fresh drinking water, and not just via drinking fountains – as well as comfortable places to sit and take a break periodically.
Ensure that Occupational Health Services Are Readily Available
Employees are still at risk of being injured at work despite properly implemented safety measures, so it’s a good idea to have an efficient and comprehensive occupational health service. A health team ensures that you have expert medical providers ready to quickly respond to employee health concerns.
Trusted Occupational Healthcare in Grand Junction, CO
Here at WorkPartners Occupational Health, our motto is “Back to Work, Back to Life.” We understand that a work-related injury affects both the employee’s life and the employer’s business, so our goal is to foster a healthy work environment for all.
To learn more about our services, call us today at (970) 241-5585 or fill out our easy-to-use online appointment request form now. We look forward to helping you be healthy and productive!
