Too often, companies underestimate the importance of having proper measures regarding health and safety in place. The most important thing, here, is to remember the human factor – you can have all the measures in the world in place, but never underestimate human behaviour. Always anticipate it and try to guide it.
Here are 10 basic rules to follow to ensure a safer, healthier work environment.
- Stay alert
The more awake and alert you are, the less likely you are to get hurt. Be aware of your environment at all times. People who awake and alert have quicker reflexes and response times, and are more likely to get out of harm’s way or not cause accidents in the first place. Make sure you know exactly what you are doing – if you’re unsure how something works or where to do something, ask your supervisor. Remember – safety first.
- Keep it tidy
The cleaner and tidier the work environment, the fewer obstacles and threats to your safety. Clean up water and oil spills and make sure all walking surfaces are safe. Put tools away when they are not in use and make sure they are stored safely. Make sure fixtures like railings and hand gips are clean, dry and secure.
- First aid first!
No matter how small or insignificant you think an injury is, report to your allocated first aider immediately. This person is trained to assess and take appropriate action; listen to them. Ignoring a cut or bruise may lead to serious injury such as infection or may hide a larger medical issue that you won’t know of until it’s too late. It’s better to be safe than sorry. Make sure you have an allocated first aider and a fully stocked first aid kit.
- Wear the correct clothes/gear
Clothes should fit properly – not too big and loose-fitting, not too tight and restrictive. A loose-hanging sleeve that gets caught in machinery or pants that are too long and trip you up and literally cost and arm and a leg. Protective clothing and gear is supplied for a reason – wearing them makes you a smart person. Put it this way – if a ceiling beam crashes down, would you rather be dirty under a yellow hardhat or be permanently under the dirt for the lack of wearing one?
- Use the right tools
Our ancestors invented specific tools for different jobs for a reason. Use a hammer when you need a hammer – Use a hammer when you need a hammer. Using the right tools for the job required can prevent harm and ensures the job gets done properly.
The Strategix health, safety and environmental solution (HSE) aggregates health, safety and environmental data in a single, auditable database and manages analysis and reporting effectively, ensuring effective compliance and a more robust approach to corporate sustainability.
While you can never discount the human factor when putting health and safety preventative measures in place, luckily you can count on Strategix’s health, safety and environmental solution to make sure the technical side is covered.
- Never take chances
Ignorance and carelessness Is like playing with fire – taking shortcuts is like shoving your hand into the flames.. No matter how much time you think you can save by taking a short cut, it’s not worth taking the risk of really getting hurt or putting others in harm’s way. Saving a minute can cost a lifetime, so rather follow protocol and the established procedures – they were put in place for a reason.
- Learn to lift the right way
Lifting is one of the number one reasons for people getting hurt in the workplace. It is not about strength – it’s about working smartly and using your body the right way. Lift from the knees and the hips; and make sure the weight is kept close to your waist, so that your whole body is supporting what you are lifting. If you need to lift something heavy or with an awkward shape, rather ask for help. A back injury is a lifelong companion you do not need.
- Reports make a difference
Make sure you report incidences, broken or defective equipment or any unsafe areas or incidences. Paperwork can be a pain but not as painful as someone genuinely being hurt because you failed to report a threat in time.
- Don’t be a prankster
The workplace, especially one such as a kitchen or construction site that has hazards at every turn, is not a playground. Leave the horseplay for after work in a safer environment where people won’t lose an eye or worse if one of your pranks go wrong. Keep the workplace a serious, thoughtful and alert one.
- Be a part of the safety plan/programme
Set an example by following the safety plan at all times, and show people who are doing something wrong how they can do it right. Share any ideas or insights you might have – this will expand the plan and eliminate threats previously unnoticed. The safer we all make the workplace, the better for the entire team.
The Strategix health, safety and environmental solution (HSE) aggregates health, safety and environmental data in a single, auditable database and manages analysis and reporting effectively, ensuring effective compliance and a more robust approach to corporate sustainability.
While you can never discount the human factor when putting health and safety preventative measures in place, luckily you can count on Strategix’s health, safety and environmental solution to make sure the technical side is covered.
The health, safety and environmental (HSE) solution aggregates health, safety and environmental data in a single, auditable database and manages analysis and reporting effectively, ensuring effective compliance and a more robust approach to corporate sustainability.
Strategix HSE is an integrated management system with links between all modules within our solution.
- Employee information
- Incident management
- Audits and inspections
- Action manager
- Risk management
- Permits, licences and legal appointments
- Document manager
- Training records
- PPE management
