They say “prevention is better than cure,” but we find this overwhelming when it comes to business. Prevention might imply that we’re always one step ahead of the problem, which is often tricky while being productive and innovative.
However, business has never been this challenging. Employees must keep up with technology while proving themselves valuable as an asset, making them susceptible to workplace accidents and injuries. Statistics from HSE show us that, in 2023.2024, 138 workplace accidents were fatal, with falling from heights being the primary cause of it. The construction, agriculture, and manufacturing industries are the most dangerous. On the other hand, there were 561,000 non-fatal injuries recorded in 2022/2023 that involved slips, handling, and getting struck.
These statistics show a lack of proper management at work, as employers might oversee reports or worker’s complaints about hazards. Therefore, how should management improve its strategies to help prevent these accidents?
Have an accident prevention assessment
Respectable companies include the possibility of accidents and work and put a plan in place regarding their handling. These situations might be uncomfortable, but employers have the responsibility to:
- Seek medical attention, whether through first aid or calling the ambulance;
- Record the details of the incident;
- Notify the HSE in case of particular accidents or deaths;
- Reassure the other employees with open discussions;
Unfortunately, not all employers follow these steps. Worse, they discourage workers from reporting machinery failures, hazards, or even accidents, mostly due to the lack of compliance. When they do this, employers breach their duty of care, so, as an employee, you can claim for an injury in the workplace. The process involves several steps, but an advisor will help in assessing the case.
However, having a detailed accident prevention plan ensures there are fewer accidents at work because workers are encouraged to report hazards, and accidents are easily documented. Moreover, workers are well-informed about their tasks so they can prepare for the upcoming effort.
Identify all the potential risks at work
When we think about work hazards, we may think of chemicals, complex machinery, or fire. Still, accidents can happen from the smallest things, including spillages that lead to slips, trips, and falls. It may seem normal for someone to clean up liquid spilled on the floor as soon as they see it. However, since most employees are stuffed with tasks, ignoring them leads to accidents.
There are many types of potential work accidents, such as the following:
- Gradual hearing damage from prolonged exposure to noise from machinery;
- Hand-arm vibration syndrome (HVAS) from operating tools like road breakers;
- Falling from heights due to overloading ladders;
- Asphyxiation from being confined in spaces;
You can check all the potential hazards through an inbound audit, meaning designating a person or a team competent to analyse the work’s nature and assign potential risks at every step during a typical work day. On the other hand, you can collaborate with an outbound brand whose outlook will be more objective.
Establish the correct work practice
Regardless of the industry, employers must create tailored strategies for helping their employees stay safe on-site. Using the information from the prevention assessment and hazard identification, you can develop the practices and procedures employees can follow for enhanced safety and productivity.
For example, excavation companies could reduce trenching and other related hazards by:
- Always have a safe entry and exit from the cave;
- Ensuring cave-in protection at trenches;
- Organising materials away from the trenches’ edges;
- Always be a way of standing water;
- Never allow employees to enter trenches before thorough inspection;
On the other hand, those handling chemical materials must ensure that all products have been checked by manufacturers and importers before reaching the site. Therefore, companies will be provided with hazard classification, labels, and safety data sheets for employees to develop the training.
Ensure adequate training at all times
Training is non-negotiable for all industries, but some should establish daily or weekly new training to keep everyone on their toes. Employees in construction, agriculture, and manufacturing know how dangerous their jobs are, but if they could get better support from employers, accidents would happen at a lower rate.
For example, many flammable materials are used on-site in construction, increasing the risk of fires. Therefore, management could delegate a team responsible for placing these materials in safe spots. On the other hand, those in agriculture are exposed to pesticides, so employers must always provide them with protective gear.
Changing the training procedures might seem complicated, but it’s one of the most important aspects of crafting a company culture focused on safety and risk assessment. Of course, employees should be encouraged to contribute and look out for each other.
Always inspect machinery
As shown earlier, machinery causes many fatal and non-fatal work accidents. Whether employers purchase them in worn-out condition or forget to check them, their potential to injure employees is immense.
Therefore, as an employer, you must remind employees to always check the machinery before starting work with it. At the same time, a professional should be provided to check it frequently, including balancing tires, changing the oil, and monitoring the brake system.
At some point, replacing old machinery and getting something new is necessary because endless repairs can lead to low productivity. There are numerous financing programs in the UK helping entrepreneurs and companies with machinery, especially if they aim towards sustainable practices, so look for loans and green financing to support your employers’ safety. Eco-friendly machines also reduce your carbon footprint and help save costs. In some cases, they also include numerous tax benefits.
Did you find these workplace safety tips helpful?
Companies, regardless of their size and industry, must ensure the safety of their workers. However, their breach of duty of care sometimes leads to accidents and injuries. We want to prevent that, and the best way to do it is to create an accident prevention plan through which management identifies all the hazards, ensures constant training, and inspects machinery.