7 Ways to Stay Safe at Work
By Business Desk
Tuesday. January 16, 2018.
No matter the individual workplace safety
policies of your workplace, you need to be taking steps to protect your own
wellbeing in the best way that you can. Identifying unsafe behaviours is
important, as is looking for opportunities to make improvements.
If you have
already been injured at work in some way, you should look to respond by
contacting a solicitor like http://www.roberttarren.co.uk/. But if you are looking to protect your health in the
most effective way possible, here are a few ways of doing this.
Be Aware of
Your Surroundings
First of all,
you need to be fully aware of your surroundings so that you know any hazards
involved in your own particular job or workplace. Always be alert to any unsafe
practices or new dangers that arise and any ways that you can address them.
Maintain
Correct Posture
Back injuries
are fairly common in the workplace, so if you work at a desk, you should keep
your shoulders in line with your hips to avoid issues. If you ever need to pick
things up, make sure that you use the proper techniques, lifting with your legs and avoiding stooping and twisting. It is
always a good idea to use ergonomic designed furniture and safety equipment
where possible.
Take Regular Breaks
A lot of
issues can arise due to tiredness leading to a lack of awareness of
surroundings and potential dangers. You should aim to take regular breaks which is
your best way of staying fresh and alert in your job. A good general piece of
advice is to schedule difficult tasks at a time when your concentration levels
are at their highest such as first thing in the morning.
Make Sure
Emergency Exits Are Clear
You need to
make sure that you are able to leave the building easily in the event of a fire
or similar emergency. Keep track of where your nearest exit is located, and
ensure that there aren’t any obstacles which are going to prevent you from
getting away quickly.
Report Unsafe
Conditions
If you spot
any workplace safety hazards or risks, you should inform your supervisor of
them as soon as possible. Bosses are legally obligated to ensure a safe working
environment for their staff members, and they should take steps to rectify the
problem.
Reduce
Workplace Stress
Stress in the
workplace can lead to all sorts of issues such as depression and anxiety. A few
of the most common causes include long hours, job insecurity, coworker
conflict, and heavy workload. Try to deal with these triggers head on, but you
should also take steps to reduce your stress in your free time as well.
Wear the
Appropriate Safety Equipment
Safety
equipment is provided for a reason, so make sure you wear it whenever you are
completing tasks which require it. If you are not provided with equipment when
you think that you should be, make sure that you speak to your employer about
this.
