4 Simple But Effective Ways to Reduce the Risk of Workplace Accidents

As of 2019, the number of Americans in employment is 157 million. The number fell slightly in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic but has increased to pre-pandemic levels as more businesses reopened. Employers must provide a safe space for their workers. Unfortunately, even the highest level of caution cannot guarantee that an accident won’t occur in the workplace. But some simple yet effective ways can help keep the chance of an accident low. This guide highlights some of these ways and importance of a workplace accident lawyer when needed. So, how to reduce workplace accidents?

Tips for Reducing Workplace Accidents

1. Create a Plan

When your workers do not know what is expected of them, you can be sure that the workplace will run into chaos. So, it’s important to have a written safety and wellness plan. 

The plan should outline the safety procedures the employees are supposed to complete daily, reporting avenues for potential hazards, and documentation of any incidents that occur, including near misses. 

A plan helps employees understand their safety responsibilities and prevent complex legal issues after an accident. 

2. Provide Training Before Workplace Accidents Even Take Place

Having a plan and posting it on strategic positions for your employees to see may not be sufficient. You may need to go further and offer safety employee training to your employees, especially if you are in a high-risk industry such as the construction industry.

Training should not be a one-time thing. It needs to be an ongoing undertaking and doesn’t necessarily mean that your employees will need to leave work to undergo training. You can schedule short sessions from time to time to ensure that safety is at the top of the mind of your employees at all times. 

Also, ensure that every new employee gets training before their first shift on the job. Having every new employee trained ensures they don’t become a danger to themselves or other workers. 

3. Facilitate Your Employee’s Safety

Different work environments present different challenges and risks. As part of taking responsibility for the safety of your employees, you will need to facilitate them with the equipment that will enhance their safety, such as personal protective equipment (PPEs). 

PPEs – personal protective equipment can include safety helmets, brightly cultured and reflective vests, industrial-grade footwear, non-slip footwear, protective goggles, and gas masks.

Besides PPEs, you will also need to facilitate your employees by providing them with ergonomic tools that can help prevent injuries suffered by workers due to the use of poorly designed tools.

4. Avoid Overworking Your Employees

Every business wants to achieve the highest efficiency of its resources, including its human remorse. While there is no harm in getting the most out of your employees, it is important to ensure that you do not overwork them.

Overworked employees will tend to do things faster, meaning that safety may not be so much of a consideration, significantly increasing the chances of your workers getting into an accident. 

Injured in a Workplace Accident? Hire a Lawyer to Help!

No matter what you do, it is not possible to eliminate the possibility of workplace accidents. Luckily, you may be eligible for compensation if you suffer injuries while on the job. 

However, compensation doesn’t always come easy. The claims process for work-related injuries should be straightforward, but it is not always so, especially if the injuries suffered are severe. 

So, if you want to file a claim after a workplace accident, you should consult a lawyer first. If your lawsuit is not worth much, the lawyer may advise you to go without one.

Recoverable Damages in a Workers’ Comp Lawsuit with Workplace Accident Lawyer

If your claim is successful, you can recover economically and punitively. Economic damages include hospital bills, cost of prescription medication, lost wages, cost of living aids, and any other cost that directly results from the work-related accident. 

Punitive damages are meant to punish an employer if gross negligence was the cause of the accident. The main difference between a workplace and other types of personal injury claims is that you cannot recover non-economic damages in workers’ comp insurance. You should know how personal injury works to understand how to make a successful claim.

Additional Tips to Reduce Workplace Accident Risks

Musculoskeletal diseases (MSDs) and injuries should both be on your radar (MSIs). Bad ergonomics are the underlying cause of a large number of work-related accidents. These injuries may occur everywhere, from construction sites to office spaces; poor posture and other factors can have extremely harmful effects.

Provide PPE. Employers could be required to provide employees some degree of personal protective equipment (PPE), depending on the rules in their respective provinces. During the present epidemic, it is unquestionably necessary for workers in a lot of professions to wear protective gear such as face masks and gloves. Providing workers with the proper personal protective equipment goes a long way toward boosting their confidence.

Ensure that the working environment is kept organized, and communicate clearly.

Some companies don’t appear to understand the fundamental need of maintaining a clean and well-organized workplace or location. Maintain an accurate inventory, check to see that the floor is clean and that the exits are not obstructed, make sure that there are safety data sheets available for any chemicals that are stored on-site, etc. The things that need to be done are all rather straightforward. In addition, there should be signs utilized to keep employees informed at all times.

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