WORKPLACE ACCIDENTS AND HOW TO COMBAT THEM

Accidents happen at work all the time. Everyone in a work environment is responsible for the safety at work and this means employers and employees have a major role to play. Health and Safety bodies have put in place regulations and set standards for employers to meet but his is not enough because employees too have to follow rules set by their employers.
There are several types of accidents that can happen in a workplace and there are also measures that can be put in place to prevent them from happening. Below are examples of accidents at work and how to prevent them;
• Trips and Falls-  These accidents are very common in a workplace. They are caused by spillage of fluids on the floor, inappropriate flooring or unsuitable footwear in a particular work environment.
Ways of prevention
 Use the most appropriate footwear for the work environment such as work boots or safety boots.
 Effective management and carrying out risk assessments
 Appropriate flooring in the workplace
 Inform people of spillages using caution signs
A SPILL, A SLIP, A HOSPITAL TRIP. STAY SAFE AT WORK
• Heights – Falling from a great height  is also very common in a workplace. Working at heights needs to be done safely. These are caused by fragile surfaces, inappropriate work equipment, weather conditions and lack of concentration to name a few.
Ways of prevention
 Proper planning and supervision
 Use of appropriate equipment
 Plan for emergencies and rescue
 Effective risk assessment
 Control risks from fragile surfaces
DON’T STEP BACK TO ADMIRE YOUR WORK WHILE ON A LADDER
• Manual Handling – this can involve lowering, lifting, pushing, pulling and carrying. Each one of these tasks needs to be carried out with care to minimise risk of injury. These accidents can be caused by poor risk assessment, environmental conditions, individual capability, and nature of the load.
Ways of prevention
 Reduce carrying distances where possible
 Assess the weight before lifting and seek help when required
 Avoid lifting heavy loads from floor level or above shoulder height
 Maintain a good posture
USE YOUR HEAD AND YOUR BACK WILL THANK YOU