The National Safety Council (NSC) reported that there were 4.26 million work-related medically consulted injuries in 2023.
That’s a shockingly large number, with even more injuries going unreported.
Workplace injuries negatively affect employees and businesses, leading to less productivity, more costs, and possibly legal trouble.
As a workers’ compensation attorney in Tampa, we want to teach you how to create a safer work environment.
There are ways to prevent workplace injuries, and in this blog post, we cover the following:
- What are common workplace injuries
- Workplace safety training tips
- How to create a safer work environment
What are common workplace injuries?
Slip and fall
Slip and fall injuries are among the most common and are usually caused by wet floors, uneven flooring, bad lighting, or obstructions in a walking path.
Overuse Injuries
These injuries are prevalent in office settings and are caused by repetitive motions or overexertion.
These injuries often include:
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Chronic back pain
Injured by objects
Moving and stationary objects can cause injury in the workplace. This includes anything from falling objects or being struck by moving vehicles or machinery.
Vehicle and machinery injuries
Machine operators or those working close to machinery are more likely to be struck by its moving parts. Likewise, workers who operate forklifts, company cars, or other work-related vehicles are susceptible to injury.
Workplace safety training tips for employees
There are workplace safety training tips you can use to ensure your employees’ safety and protect yourself as an employer, and they include:
Provide regular training sessions.
Training is the foundation of workplace safety. It involves teaching employees how to do their jobs safely and how to handle emergency situations.
Regularly scheduled training sessions keep the information fresh in your employees’ minds.
Explain the “why.”
If you tell your employees to do something without explaining it, the odds of them sticking to it are low. It’s human nature. That’s why it’s essential to accompany instruction with the “why.”
Help them understand why they must do things in specific ways and how it’ll protect them from injury.
Make it applicable.
If you’ve ever taken a required training course for work, you can agree that they tend to be a bit bland. It’s so general that you don’t get much out of it. Regarding safety training, you want to make it feel relatable.
You want to create simulations and real-world scenarios that bring the lessons to life.
The more applicable the training, the more it resonates with your employees.
Encourage involvement.
Fuel your workplace safety training with your employees’ feedback. They’re on the front lines.
Use their experiences and suggestions to fine-tune and improve your workplace and its safety.
To encourage involvement and collect feedback, create a way for employees to submit their suggestions anonymously. Often, this makes people feel more comfortable sharing their honest opinions.
How to create a safer work environment
As the employer, you are responsible for creating and maintaining a safe work environment..
Here are some tips to consider:
Safe surroundings.
Ensure all work areas are clean and free of clutter, there is proper lighting throughout your workplace, and equipment and machinery are regularly inspected.
Ergonomic solutions.
If you work in an office setting, provide your employees with ergonomic desks, chairs, and other accessories like wrist rests and keyboards to encourage proper posture.
Provide PPE.
For those in industries that require Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), you should provide all the accessories employees need and have them readily available. Train your employees on the proper use of PPE and enforce their use with regular safety checks and reminders.
Risk assessments.
The best way to prevent accidents is to be proactive. Regular risk assessments will help you identify potential hazards and create and implement strategies to mitigate those risks in the future.
Encourage communication.
Create a system that makes it easy and accessible for your employees to report hazards or share their safety concerns. You want to create a culture where your employees feel comfortable and empowered to share their feedback because they know you’re committed to protecting their safety.
If you or someone you know experienced a workplace injury, contact us today and schedule your free case evaluation.
