Your employer is legally responsible for providing workers with a safe and healthy environment in which to work. This is often easier said than done. If they were able to do so and it was completely safe at work then there would be little need for a workplace lawyer.
The reality is that there is no situation that is completely safe and secure despite the best efforts of an employer. It is also the responsibility of the workers themselves to do what they can to avoid getting injured. Prevention is always the best medicine. In this article, we will go over several ways that you can do your part to make sure that you don’t get injured at work.
1 – Always wear PPE
Your employer is supposed to give you the proper safety gear to be able to work safely. It’s also your responsibility to make sure that you do wear it at all times when you are working in a dangerous area. For instance, on the worksite, you need to wear a hard hat even if you are not working on the site. In the case that you have to go there from the office, you should wear a hard hat and even an orange vest for visibility.
When you are operating machinery safety goggles and ear protection are essential and required. This also includes wearing the gear properly. If you have a coverall that is worn while using machinery then make sure it is zipped up so that there is no material that could get pulled into the machine.
2 – Don’t overexert yourself
There are times when you feel you have to push through discomfort and get the job done. This is actually quite dangerous and can lead to accidents or injuries. For instance, if you need to move boxes then make sure to have some help instead of trying to muscle through it on your own. Lifting injuries are one of the most common types of workplace injuries.
The same goes for trying to continue working through fatigue and burnout. This is a sure way to get injured as your senses are dulled and this reduces reaction time. You’re also likely to make a mistake that can lead to an injury because you are not giving things enough attention because you are trying to just get the work done.
3 – Get enough rest
Piggybacking on the last tip is the fact that you need to be rested to be able to stay safe at work. When you are tired, you tend to ignore warnings or react slowly to a dangerous situation.
Besides the risk of injury, you are also risking getting sick. When you are not fully rested, your immune system is lowered and this leaves you vulnerable to things like viruses and infections. Since you are at work with other people, it is easy for things like the flu to be passed on to you.