Occupational accidents and work-related injuries claim lives every day. In the United States, there were 4,764 fatal and 2.7 million non-fatal workplace injuries and illnesses recorded in 2020. Out of those, there were over 1 million non-fatal injuries that caused a worker to miss at least one day of work. Apart from physical injury, workplace accidents pose many challenges for business owners. Loss of productivity from days off work, loss of motivation and morale by other workers, and workers’ compensation lawsuits are among those challenges. A single lawsuit can immensely impact business growth and even lead it to bankruptcy.
This is why the promotion of workplace safety is essential not only for workers who put their health and even their lives at risk, but for business owners, who can suffer significant financial hardships. How do you make sure your workplace is safe, and what measures should be taken to eliminate the hazards and reduce workplace injuries and diseases? Let’s find out.
Safety Recommendations: Is Your Workplace Safe?
Understanding what particular dangers are associated with your work environment is one of the cornerstones of safety awareness. You’ll be able to develop proactive strategies to prevent accidents once you’ve become fully aware of the risks in your workplace.
The notion that injury and disease “go with the job” isn’t accepted anymore. Experience has shown that workers, employers, and governments all benefit from a preventative safety culture. Various preventative strategies have been proven to be successful in reducing workplace injuries and illnesses, as well as improving business performance. Here are some data-driven strategies that are proven to help prevent accidents and ensure a safe workplace.
- Setting Workers’ Safety and Health as a Top Priority. Inform your employees that finishing the workday safety with no injuries is a priority. Assure them that you will work together to recognize any hazards or problems that might cause any harm or illness, and that you will work diligently to eliminate it.
- Development of Safety Awareness and Education Among Workers. Do a simple day-to-day briefing on the current state of the job site, including any potential fall hazards, sloppy surfaces, or other potentially dangerous objects.
- Good Reporting System. Promote and convey a straightforward system for your workers that aims to swiftly report any accidents, or injuries (including narrow escapes/close calls), hazards, and other safety and health concerns without fear of retaliation. Include a way for people to anonymously report hazards or concerns.
- Train Your Workers. Teach your workforce to identify and eliminate hazards using professional tools, like OSHA’s Hazard Identification Training Tool.
- Proper Lighting and Good Ventilation Are a Must. Job sites should be well lit, and visibility should never be an issue. You may want to make respirators or other air filtering systems to reduce the risk of respiratory incidents due to particulate inhalation in the workplace.
- Lead by Example. Make safety a part of your everyday discussions with employees, and teach them by modelling safe practices yourself.
Occupational Health and Workers’ Compensation Services in Grand Junction, Colorado
If you’re looking for comprehensive and timely care for occupational health and workers’ compensation on the Western Slope, you won’t find a more conscientious and accessible source than WorkPartners Occupational Health.
WorkPartners is a medical facility that specifically treats work-related injuries and illnesses, specializes in workers’ compensation, and assists companies with all occupational health needs – from pre-employment physicals, DOT physicals, and drug and alcohol screenings to rehabilitation services.
We always have the lowest cost-per-claim in the region – by an average of 40% lower. At WorkPartners, we prioritize effectively managing the time and cost of injuries. We believe that maintaining open communication with employers are key to lowering your workers’ compensation costs.
WorkPartners Occupational Health is able to provide precise, in-depth service. Back to Work, Back to Life, that’s our motto. For more information, contact us today at (970) 241-5585.
