We hear a lot about how important it is to build a safety culture in the workplace and how safety is truly everyone’s responsibility. From C-level executives and team leadership all the way down to individual workers, everyone has an important part to play in the success and safety of the job site. In honor of National Safety Month, here are some great ways to really stay safe in the field.
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Prepare for Emergency
Emergency situations can happen at any time, from fire to earthquake to flood. This makes it crucial that you are prepared for the unexpected long before it happens. To do so, you need to have a plan for several possible emergencies, do your research, and have a kit ready to help respond in case of common natural disasters in your area. Encourage employees to have personal kits at home, in their car, and explain what they will have available to them at work. Run emergency drills at work and make sure employees know what to do by providing clear instructions and paying attention to make sure that the right lessons are learned. Make sure you designate safety leads who know first aid and CPR should their help be required in an emergency situation.
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Actively Prevent Falls
Falling is still one of the top work hazards in our country despite such accidents being reasonably preventable. Awareness and proper education can go a long way toward preventing these accidents. While we may not consider a simple slip at home or tripping on the sidewalk to be a serious risk, they can be deadly, especially at work. Falls are the third leading cause of unintentional injury-related deaths for all ages and the number one cause of death for those 65 and older. That’s a very big risk to ignore. Spend some time this month talking with your employees about the risk of falling on the job, and make sure they have the preventative equipment and training to make falling less of a risk at work.
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Avoid Distractions
Distractions can be as deadly at work as they are behind the wheel of a car. Whether you are using machinery or walking down a flight of stairs, be alert and attentive to what is going on around you and what you are doing. For example, cell phones can be dangerous distractions. Make sure you and your team don’t use them while operating heavy machinery or driving.
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Keep Cool
If your job requires you to be outside for extended periods, protect yourself from heatstroke. The same is true for overheating in indoor spaces. Stay hydrated, take breaks from direct sun exposure frequently, and wear lightweight, breathable fibers to keep cool.
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Follow Safety Rules and Procedures
Ensuring that you and your team understand and follow the rules established in the safety protocols is critical to staying safe in the field. Safety is everyone’s responsibility, and making sure that everyone is trained and comfortable with what to expect will help keep business running smoothly and everyone headed home healthy at the end of the day.
For more tips on keeping your team safe and sound in the field, connect with the recruiting experts at ESGI today.
