(ThyBlackMan.com) If someone were to ask you where you thought you were most at danger during your everyday life, what do you think you would answer with? Perhaps when you are driving down a busy street? Or maybe when you are feeling slightly unwell? Well, in actual fact, you might be surprised to hear just what exactly is the most dangerous time in some people’s lives – it’s actually while they are at work!
Even though you might think that the workplace seems to be very safe, some research shows that quite a few employers fail to put in the necessary safety precautions that their employees are entitled to. This can put the whole workforce at risk and, as you can probably tell, is an accident waiting to happen.
Thankfully, though, if you do know that your employer is slacking in the business’s health and safety areas, you are very much within your right to bring this up with them and request that they make some changes and improvements. After all, it’s also in their best interest that none of their employees get injured as it means they won’t need to find any extra cover for sick leave and they are reducing their risk of being sued for compensation and being taken to an employment tribunal. For example, people who work in warehouses have to be extra careful when it comes to using a gantry crane for heavy lifting or operating heavy machinery both on the ground and high up. There are a phenomenal amount of tools and machines in the workplace, all of which are dangerous if not used correctly, it is crucial that all employees are always aware of their surroundings at all times.
So, are you starting to think about different ways you could make your working life less dangerous? Here are the best steps you could take.
Make Sure Your Employer Has Done A Risk Assessment
One of the first steps that an employer needs to take to ensure the safety of their workers in the workplace is to carry out a risk assessment. This gives them the chance to identify any potential risks and hazards that are present so that they can then go about trying to reduce them. To effectively carry out a risk assessment, your employee just needs to assess each area of the workspace and try to figure out what, if anything, could potentially cause an accident and be dangerous to employees.
Always Wear The Right Safety Gear
Your employer also has the responsibility and duty to provide you with all the necessary clothing and gear that can keep you safe in the workspace. If they do not do so already, then you are well within your right to request it from them. For instance, if you work in a very loud environment, they should always provide you with some form or ear and hearing protection. You will also need to wear a hard hat if you work on a construction or building site. However, even if your employer does provide you with these things, it is up to you to wear them when needed. So, always make sure you wear all the safety gear you need to, as not doing so could really put your health and safety at risk.
Take Part In The Necessary Training
Most businesses and companies offer their workers a complete training schedule for throughout the year. It’s important that you take part in as much training as possible as it can make you a lot more productive and motivated in your individual role. That’s not all, though, as there are lots of safety training that takes part in a variety of workplaces. If your employer offers these types of courses and training days, it’s important that you sign up to join in as they can help you stay as safe as possible in the workplace. Without taking part in this kind of training, you might miss out on some important knowledge regarding how to use various heavy machinery and other potentially dangerous items.
Insurance Is A Necessity
Every single worker at a business needs to be insured in full. Generally speaking, it is usually the employer who takes out this insurance, and a blanket policy is used to cover the entire team, rather than needing to take out individual policies per employee. If your boss doesn’t have this kind of insurance to cover you and your colleagues, then they could get in a lot of legal hot water. So, it’s always important to push for your employer to take out the necessary insurance so that you don’t have to worry about being covered for any accidents or injuries that may occur at work.
Take Extra Precautions When Driving For Work
In some cases, you might need to drive for work. This is usually the case when companies use their own employees as delivery drivers, or for firms that run taxis and similar vehicles. It is absolutely crucial that you always take plenty of precautions when driving for work so that you are safe behind the steering wheel. For instance, if you need to take very long journeys, it’s always wise to watch out for the signs of tiredness. Tiredness is a big killer on the road and often a cause for the likes of a multiple fracture accident injury case caused by road accidents. One great way to combat tiredness when out on the road is to take plenty of breaks so you can stretch your legs and get some fresh air. It’s also worth taking regular small sips of coffee to keep you alert and perky behind the wheel. If you do ever feel too tired to be driving, it is crucial that you pull over and have a nap or wait until the tiredness passes.
Remove All Hazards From The Workplace As Soon As They Occur
Depending on your place of work, it could be fairly easy for hazards to occur. For instance, offices can be quite hazardous if they aren’t kept clean and tidy at all times. If clutter gathers in the office space, then it could cause various tripping hazards. So, as you can see then, it is important that you remove all potential hazards from any workspace as soon as they occur. This is especially important if you work in a possible dangerous environment, like a factory or warehouse, as hazards could make the working environment a whole lot more dangerous than what is anticipated.
Know How To Handle Dangerous Chemicals And Materials
If you regularly work with dangerous chemicals and materials, then it is crucial that you know the proper way to handle them. For instance, you will more likely than not need to wear gloves and wear some protective clothing. There might also be some important instructions regarding the storage and handling of the item in question. If you get that wrong, then it could endanger the whole workforce. So, for obvious reasons, you need to take all the necessary training in handling potentially toxic chemicals and materials. If you are asked to handle something that you have not been trained in, then you are certainly within your right to decline.
Know What To Do After An Accident
It is in everyone’s best interest that the right steps are taken after an accident takes place in the workplace. This is especially important for whoever was involved in the incident, as carrying out the correct procedure can improve their chances of getting compensation. To make sure you always take the necessary steps, here are some useful steps to bear in mind.
Take Witness Statements
It is necessary to take some statements from people who might have seen the accident taking place. These statements will be used as evidence for your compensation claim. The more statements you can take from people, then the better chance you have of gathering together enough evidence that shows the accident wasn’t your fault.
Fill In The Incident Books
You also need to fill in the incident book that will be somewhere at work. Every company is legally obliged to have an incident book where all records of accidents and injuries are logged. This is an official report detailing all of these incidents and can be used as evidence if needed in court. If you don’t know where your employer’s incident book is kept, you can always ask someone in the HR team as they will usually be responsible for it.
Report The Accident To The Company’s Insurer
It’s also important that your company report the incident to their insurer. They might be able to cover some of the medical costs that you incur after being in an accident and gaining an injury.
Consider Trying To Claim Compensation
It’s also worth thinking about trying to claim for some compensation. This could be especially useful if you need to take a long time off work and end up running out of statutory leave. The compensation should help to cover living costs while you are on the sick. Before you do start to put a case together, it’s worth speaking to a lawyer to get their professional advice. They’ll be able to review your situation and see whether they think you stand a chance of winning in court.
As you can see, there is a lot to consider when you are trying to be safe at work. But it’s all vital and can keep you fit and healthy!
Staff Writer; Jerry Brown