How To Protect Your Employees From Work Injury

People often seek the services of Perth personal injury lawyers to address workers compensation claims and their legal rights after accidents, assaults, negligence or other incidents cause psychological and physical injuries or permanent debilitation. Employers can reduce the risk of legal proceedings by doing everything they can to protect their employees from on-site injuries.

What types of measures should business owners take to prevent incidents?

Screen Employees

Sometimes accidents happen because an employee isn't healthy enough to perform a specific task. Employers can require physical examinations for existing employees and new job applicants to guarantee that workers mentally and physically meet the requirements for specific positions. For example, an employer might test if a worker is fit enough to handle a certain amount of heavy lifting or repetitive motion.

Bring in an Expert

Business owners, managers and supervisors aren't always aware of every potential workplace hazard. Employers should hire a third-party safety expert to inspect the workplace and evaluate potential risks. An employer can use the expert's report to create a plan to alter the work environment to make it safer. They can also develop safety training programs to educate workers about general safety and extra measures necessary for high risk positions and work areas.

Post Appropriate Signage

Whether around an administrative office or a warehouse, all areas should feature signs that outline the potential for injury and methods to reduce the chance of an accident. For example, in a warehouse, an employer might post signs near storage areas that warn workers about the risk of products falling off shelves. At docks, warning safety signs might outline exact spots on the docks where workers should stand to prevent falls.

Invest in Safety Gear

Although regulations require that employers provide a certain type and amount of safety gear in different types of positions, employers should always go above and beyond to make certain that they're supplying more than the minimum required amount. For example, they might set up a space to store extra safety gear so that there's always a sufficient supply available in the event that gear in use wears out or suddenly breaks.

Provide Risk Training

No worker wants to sustain an injury and deal with associated pain or loss of work. Employees who understand the many potential accident-causing events are more likely to take steps to reduce personal risk. Training programs should teach emergency action and safety measures. For example, trainers should remind workers to practice situational awareness not only in high risk areas, but also throughout the workplace so that they can anticipate and bypass accident scenarios, such as running into someone when walking around a corner or through a doorway. Classes should also emphasize how poor work habits can cause accidents and teach employees how to appropriately use every piece of safety gear that's in their workspaces and the business.

Run Drills Often

Employees sometimes become injured because they don't know how to act during an emergency, such as a fire or equipment-related accident. Supervisors and trainers should run employees regularly through emergency simulations. These drills go beyond general safety measures like exiting a building in an organized and calm fashion during a fire. When someone is experiencing a major emergency, they're less self-aware and more likely to not think of their own safety when faced with the need to safeguard or help others. Simulations should teach employees methods designed to help them remember their own safety, such as accessing offline emergency safety manuals that can serve as calming guidance during a shocking event.

Encourage Order

Accidents often happen because of employees not working alone or with others in an orderly fashion. For example, employees who eat in work zones might spill beverages or leave behind items that cause slips and falls. They might haphazardly leave small pieces of corded equipment near high traffic areas where people can fall over the cords. In production areas that involve various materials, remainders from production processes, such as metal shavings, pieces of wood and wires, can pose a cut or puncture risk.

Of course, these are only a few of many steps employers can take to protect their employees. Some experts recommend that employers even invest in hiring extra staff and reducing shift lengths to prevent overworking, fatigue and burnout that can lead employees to make mistakes that cause injury. Whatever methods you choose to implement, always keep in mind that your employees can also help you gain a better understanding of risk areas. Ask for their feedback to help you learn about any areas that might have escaped your notice. For information about prevention of on-the-job accidents or other important personal injury topics, seek the guidance of the experienced professionals at Foyle Legal today

About the Author:

Kim Hemphry is a passionate expert in the areas of Legal Matters, learning and education. She has been featured on over 50 leading Legal and education sites and is a modern thought leader in the field. More about her interests and articles on her site - http://kimhemphry.com/.