What Safety Measures Prevent Accidents at Work?

Safety in the workplace is not only a necessity to protect the wellbeing of employees, but is a legal requirement which can have significant consequences if not adhered to. In this article, we discuss some of the key safety measures an organization should have in place to minimize the chance of accidents happening on site, creating a safe working environment.

PPE

Personal protective equipment (PPE) must be provided to employees who are working in areas where hazards are present. Depending on the nature of the company and the role the employee is carrying out, the necessary PPE may consist of equipment like goggles, gloves, helmets, hearing protection, high-visibility clothing, and steel-toed boots. The employer must ensure workers not only have access to the PPE, but enforce use on site to prevent accidents.

Fire procedures

To prepare for the event of a fire, an organization must have fire safety procedures in place to ensure they can respond quickly and effectively in an emergency. Regular fire drills should be carried out to ensure alarms are working and that employees know how to exit the building and reach the designated evacuation point in a calm manner. All fire extinguishers and emergency exit signage should also be regularly maintained, ensuring they are suitable for use.

Employee training

Comprehensive training programs should be in place to ensure all employees are trained on their job-specific tasks, as well as more general safety procedures. As well as being incorporated into induction programs for new starters, refresher courses should be provided to all employees to ensure they are reminded of the processes and procedures in place. Training should also be provided on any equipment and machinery an employee is expected to use, alongside supplying signage and accessible resources that can be used as an ongoing guide.

Emergency response plans

To prepare for an unexpected emergency or natural disaster, an emergency response plan should be in place to minimize impact and ensure a more efficient response. Carrying out frequent drills is recommended to familiarize employees with the procedures and ensure everybody on site knows how to respond in an emergency. As well as the drills, having clearly labeled evacuation routes and assigned emergency responders will help ensure the process runs as smoothly as possible.

Chemical safety

For any organizations dealing with potentially hazardous chemicals, the proper storage, handling and disposal of chemicals is a must. These safety protocols must legally be followed, ensuring all employees are aligning with the correct handling procedures and have access to material safety data sheets. Training should be carried out to all employees who will be working with these products, educating them on the risks and the procedures which should be carried out in an emergency.

Equipment maintenance

Frequent maintenance checks should be carried out on all machinery and equipment within an organization, allowing any potential issues to be identified and resolved before they have a chance to escalate. This is important to not only keep the organization's assets in good condition, but to prevent the likelihood of potentially harmful accidents from occurring off the back of malfunctioning equipment.