Regardless of your industry, it’s always important to assume that accidents can happen anytime. Some of these are avoidable, but you can prevent others by making the right decisions and acting in line with workplace policies. Without putting safety in mind, you put yourself at risk of injury and long-term health effects. Missing work days will be the least of your concerns if you suffer from injuries that could upend your lifestyle and affect your long-term well-being.
Ensuring your safety and well-being at work will not only help you stay productive but it also prevents you from experiencing injuries and illness that are costly to treat. It’s all a matter of knowing how to stay vigilant as you earn a living. Whether you’re at a construction site or in an office building, brush up on the basics of personal workplace safety using the essential guide below:
1. Know what hazards exist
You need to pay attention to the things that could pose an immediate and long-term risk to yourself and others. If you’re new to the organization, take time to check your surroundings and become more aware of the hazards you may need to be mindful of.
You can learn about these hazards during your orientation to the company, but it’s still important to delve deeper, especially when it comes to using facilities and equipment that requires prior experience and training. Be proactive when it comes to assessing these risks and ensuring your workspace is conducive to working. Consult with your supervisor on the extra precautions you may have to observe.
2. Follow protocols
Whatever your role or position, it pays to follow company procedures when it comes to health and safety. These procedures are updated regularly in light of updates, so it’s important to stay current. You need to refer to manuals and guidebooks when you’re operating large equipment or accessing facilities that require the wearing of safety gear. More importantly, following safety protocols thoroughly will depend largely on your disposition at work. If you’re hungover or haven’t slept the night before, you may as well call it a day rather than insist on clocking in.
3. Follow ergonomic practices
Oftentimes, injuries may result from poor movement within the workplace. Even sitting down for long hours at your desk can cause significant strain which could worsen as time passes. If you feel uncomfortable or constrained at your workspace, check with management to see if they can provide you with ergonomic equipment to lessen muscle fatigue.
Ergonomics is not always a matter of getting the right equipment. You also need to pay attention to how you move around your environment. Opt for a neutral position when sitting down and avoid over-extending your joints and muscles so you can assume a more relaxed position while working.
4. Take breaks from time to time
The risk of injury increases when you’re overfatigued, so it’s important to make the most of your break hours to stretch your muscles and rest your eyes. Nothing good ever comes out of overexerting yourself. If you feel your eyes are beginning to hurt and your back starts to ache, take a quick minute away from the computer screen.
Rest your eyes by looking at plants or closing them for a while during a moment of meditation. You can also take this time for a 10-minute power nap that’s meant to rescue fatigue and give your mind and body space to relax. This will help improve your concentration and, in effect, avoid injury.
5. Keep your health in check
As much as you want to be nominated as the next Employee of the Month, it shouldn’t come at the cost of your physical health. You need to be mindful of your body’s responses to everything that transpires at work. If you’ve come down with the flu, don’t think that clocking in at work will make you feel better. Other ailments may also indicate more serious conditions such as mesothelioma symptoms which are often caused by overexposure to asbestos. Always monitor your health and never let work get in the way of a full recovery. After all, you can always apply for worker’s compensation benefits or tap into your company’s HMO to pay your medical bills.
Endnote
Workplace accidents may happen as a result of either the employer’s or employee’s negligence. As an employee, you wouldn’t want to put yourself in harm’s way knowing when every safety measure is put into place. Keeping this guide in mind will help you stay productive and healthy throughout your stay.
