When we go to work each day, we never expect to end up in the hospital or injured due to work activities. Most companies, especially those that involve heavy machinery, factories or special equipment, will have safety guidelines in place to ensure that all employees are kept safe and out of harms way during working hours. Unfortunately, even with these guidelines, many employees still end up hurt. Here are a few ways to ensure your safety at work.
Always Stay Alert
Even if you are taking a short break or having a friendly chat with a coworker, always be aware of your surroundings and what is happening around you. A faulty piece of equipment or coworker not paying attention can lead to extreme harm. Before you begin each day, take note of the area around you and pay attention to any potential dangers or hazards—this will help you avoid any injury should something happen.
Wear the Right Clothing
Whether you work in an office, a factory or outside at a site, what you wear will always come into play. If you need to dress professional but know that your office has uneven flooring or requires a lot of walking up stairs or to others offices, consider wearing flat shoes. If you work at an outdoor site, wear appropriate clothing based on the weather. While it may seem trivial, having the right outfit can help you avoid day-to-day injuries.
Let Yourself Take Breaks
A tired employee is far more prone to accidents than one that is alert. If you are feeling tired, overworked or simply need to take a breath, let yourself take a short walk, go get a cup of coffee or simply sit in your place and take deep breaths. Working through times of irritability or stress is a surefire way to get injured on the job.
Ensure You Are Properly Trained
Before you begin your job, you should be trained on the proper way to use all machinery and tools. If you feel you do not understand the right way to use them, inform your supervisor before you begin using them. Not being trained properly may hurt your company in the long run, but it will hurt you more as you deal with your injuries.
Report Unsafe Conditions
If you see anything that looks off, notice faulty equipment or witness a coworker toying with machinery, report it to your supervisor. You may not only be saving yourself from injury, but all those around you as well.
If you were injured in a workplace accident, you will need an experienced workers compensation attorney on your side to help you fight for you rights and get you the compensation you deserve. For more information about how the attorneys at Stewart & Stewart can help you, give us a call at 1-800-33-33-LAW or visit our website for more information.