Is your workplace as safe as it should be? Unfortunately, workplace accidents cause a great deal of suffering every year and cost businesses millions of pounds, and have a negative impact on business reputation.
Many of the problems that occur could have been prevented by management. If you are not aware of the major hazards present in the modern workplace, you should be.
BHere are seven avoidable hazards that managers must mitigate.
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Tripped Cable
Have you ever walked into an office or other commercial building and seen wires lying all over the place? This is a common problem that can cause various injuries. For example, many employees do not pay attention to these cables and trip over them, injuring themselves in the process.
As the decision maker in your business, it is your job to get it done. Desk cable management service providers such as Network Data Cables specialize in tidying cables in business and their data cabling support services prevent possible accidents in the future.
Network Data Cables is a recommended company in the UK as they offer a variety of cable management services, so you may want to check their services page if you are having trouble finding a provider.
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Slipped
Large numbers of employees, customers and other individuals sneak their way into offices, shops, factories and other workplaces every day. This is something that will not happen if a manager takes the proper measures and precautions.
Floors should be continuously monitored for any liquids that may be spilled on them. While work is being carried out to correct this type of problem, your cleaning staff must follow special procedures, including posting appropriate warning signs and covering the affected area until the problem is resolved.
In other situations, the type of flooring in your commercial space could cause people to slip and injure themselves. To solve this problem, you should consider replacing these floors with non-slip alternatives or covering the hazardous floors with non-slip mats or other non-slip solutions.
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Waterfall
Some industries are more dangerous than others and many people end up in the hospital or worse from falling on the job. However, if you implement strict health and safety procedures, you can greatly reduce the potential for these problems in your organization.
If you’re not sure how to proceed, you can start by consulting a health and safety professional. Ideally, you should ask this person to assess your organization and identify any areas where employees and others are at risk of falling. Invest in the right safety equipment and removing dangerous obstacles will also help lower the chances of people falling or being injured if they do fall on the job.
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Fire
The larger the business premises, the greater the possibility of a fire. This can cause serious damage to the business and, more importantly, put people’s lives at risk, so it is important to take all necessary fire precautions.
Prevention is always better than cure, so you must implement procedures and processes that reduce or eliminate it possibility of fire in your business. Creating designated smoking areas, turning off electrical equipment when not needed, and maintaining electrical equipment and products on a regular basis are simple ways to do this.
If a fire does occur, it is also important to be prepared and able to react in an appropriate manner. Every manager must ensure that smoke and CO alarms are installed and functioning properly. Extinguishers should also be available and your employees should be familiar with how to evacuate the building when this problem arises.
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Chemicals and Poisoning
Hazardous substances are sometimes used that give off noxious fumes, irritate the skin, or can poison you if consumed. If this is the case at your company, it is important to clearly label each of these items so there is no confusion.
Providing safe storage facilities for chemicals and other hazardous substances will also prevent avoidable accidents.
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Repeated Strains
Repeated strains are a less obvious concern for managers. These workplace injuries gradually affect people who perform the same tasks every day. For example, people who spend a long time typing or sitting at a computer often experience aches from repetitive work. Manual workers using tools that are awkward to use regularly can also run into problems over time.
To avoid this, management must identify the cause of the recurrent strain. Once you know these causes, you can invest in more ergonomic tools and furniture. Encouraging employees to stretch, take regular breaks, and focus on their posture will also make a difference.
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Electricity
Electricity is one of the most powerful resources we have. However, it is also the most dangerous and you must treat it with respect. All electrical equipment, tools, cables and equipment should be inspected regularly and you should never leave electrical objects near water.
Today’s managers must be aware of the various hazards in the workplace. Once you understand each of the hazards above, you can implement steps to avoid these common workplace problems.
