No matter how safe you think your workplace is, you are prone to accidents and injuries while working. Sitting for extended periods at your desk may cause severe back and neck problems. Following safety rules and regulations set by the company is essential to avoid putting your life at risk.
Though workers’ compensation will take care of medical expenses and missed wages, nothing can compensate you for spending the remainder of your life with a severe injury. Staying safe will save you and your family money, time, and effort as you could have to juggle work, medical procedures, and legal actions. Read on to know more about the things you can do If you want to stay safe and healthy at work.
Know The Risks of Your Job
There are many risks for every kind of job, even a desk job. You should be aware of the risks that your job entails so you can take the necessary precautions to prevent any possible injuries or illnesses. Communicate with your employees’ representative on the health and safety committee to either warn them of potential risks or to know from them how to prevent any risks.
Take Breaks
Breaks are not only for having lunch and socializing, they are essential to de-stress and to stay fresh. If you skipped a break, you will most likely be tired, and tired employees are the most prone to accidents. When you are tired, you are less focused and less aware of your surroundings which puts you at risk of an injury. Make sure to take regular breaks to refresh yourself and regain your concentration, and schedule the most difficult tasks for the beginning of your shift or after a break when you are more alert and focused.
Be Aware of Your Surroundings
Every workplace has dangers lurking around, whether they were heavy machinery, items in the hallway, or even a slippery floor. That’s why you should be aware of your surroundings at all times. Remove any obstacles you find to prevent injuries whether to you or your coworkers. Familiarize yourself with your tasks and the workplace to identify potential hazards and avoid them.
Always wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
In specific industries where there are working hazards, employers provide their workers with PPE to protect them. No matter how small the equipment is, such as earplugs, you should always wear it. Workers’ compensation attorneys at Morgan, Collins, Yeast & Salyer say that if you ignore wearing PPE provided by your employer, it will affect your compensation claim negatively in the case of an injury. PPE exists to protect you from known job hazards, and you should always wear it to keep yourself safe at work.
Stay Updated With New Safety Procedures
Though it’s your employer’s responsibility to update the workers with any new safety procedures, you should make sure that you understand everything about the new procedures. Whenever your company buys new machinery or changes work protocols, you should communicate with your managers or supervisors to understand what you need to do to stay safe. There is no such thing as a “dumb” question when it comes to your safety, as it is the top priority for you and your employer.
Keep a Healthy Posture
This advice applies to heavy lifting and sitting at your desk. When you are lifting something heavy, let your legs do the carrying, not your back. Squat and hold the object then stand up, this way your legs will do the work, but if you bend over to carry, your back will carry the weight and this might cause a back injury. If an object is too heavy, seek mechanical aid such as forklifts or ask for help from a coworker.
Sitting for a long time in a bad posture can lead to back and neck problems that may affect you for the rest of your life. Keep your back straight while sitting and take a small break every hour to walk around the office. You can opt for a standing desk which will reduce the risk of back and neck pain considerably while keeping you active.
Your health and well-being must come before anything else, especially if you have a family that depends on you. Accidents and injuries happen often and unexpectedly, but we should take precautions to minimize the risk of an accident happening. You should be aware of what risks your job entails and prepare for them accordingly. Moreover, you need to follow all safety regulations and procedures to ensure your safety including wearing your PPE.