Are you a concerned employer hoping to make your workplace safer? Maybe you’re an employee and are worried about the environment you’re working in?
Regardless of who you are, accidents happen. And because they can happen to anyone, it means you should be prepared.
We’ll cover the most common causes of workplace accidents and give remedies for how they can be avoided.
Table of Contents
Dehydration
It’s common knowledge that people are made mostly of water. When they get dehydrated, they start to think, act, and perform worse.
Providing ample drinking fountains in the workplace will help alleviate this issue. If the job is outdoors, or remote, it’s important to keep water available to the team at all times.
Employees should keep water bottles on them, and employers should consider providing jugs or cases of water if needed. The hotter the temperature, the more people need to drink.
Fatigue
One of the common causes of accidents is employees fatigue. Workers who push themselves too hard or aren’t given adequate breaks may find themselves injured at work.
It’s important that employers allow their employees to take ample breaks if working under intense conditions, such as excess heat, humidity, or cold. Fatigue increases with intense weather.
Darkness or Poor Lighting
Working out in the dark is problematic. First, it makes using equipment more difficult. Second, it’s near impossible to see those around you. And third, that means it’s near impossible for those around to see you.
Also, custom hi vis apparel is a great option to avoiding working in dark places. Bright, reflective surfaces make you and your team stand out even in the dimmest of settings.
Further, bringing floodlights or other lighting setups will further help keep you and your team safe.
Stress
It’s no surprise that stress contributes to more accidents. Stress causes mental illness, causes people to make rash decisions, and overall leads to a negative working environment.
The worst part of all this is that 64% of people have stress due to their work. This sort of stress leads to exhaustion, fatigue, passing out, acting out violently, or worse.
Creating a positive and supportive team environment is crucial to reducing stress at work. Employees who trust their team and managers will find it easier to share burdens and build a better, safer environment.
Hazardous Materials
OSHA, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, have strict guidelines about the care and containment of dangerous materials.
The mishandling of these materials can result in mild burns or watering eyes, all the way to cancer or death.
There’s a wide margin for what may happen here. Working in a nuclear power plant where hazardous materials aren’t properly maintained will likely have worse consequences than a chemistry teacher who mislabels their chemicals correctly.
Slips and Trips
There’s a reason workplaces have the yellow caution signs, warning if the floor is slippery when wet. It’s because these incidents are huge issues for most workplaces and if an employee falls, the employer may be liable.
Employers should ensure their team has proper footwear. Further, all slick areas should be designated with correct signage.
Avoid Workplace Accidents
Above are the most common causes of workplace accidents. They’re scary, they’re dangerous, and they can happen to anyone.
Creating an environment that is low stress and prepares ahead of time will find itself much safer than workplaces that don’t.
If workplace safety is important to you, or you like learning about the workplace and other lifestyle topics, check out our related blog posts.
