Workplace Safety Tips

Employees can help their employers improve safety within their workplace by identifying potential safety hazards and notifying their supervisors before those hazards cause accidents or injuries. Spotting hazards can be as simple as paying attention to your environment, and identifying what could potentially be dangerous or go wrong. Recognizing workplace hazards includes:

1. Paying attention to differences in your daily routine - is it darker than yesterday? Maybe a lightbulb went out.
2. Paying attention to your surroundings - is there a cord on the floor that shouldn't be there, or a liquid spill that needs to be cleaned up?
3. Paying attention to your actions - did you drop something and trip over it? Next time, ask for assistance carrying a large load.

Slips, trips and falls happen for a variety of reasons - most of which are easily preventable. Although a huge portion of injuries occur because of slips, trips and falls, there are numerous ways to better prevent them from occurring:

1. Pay attention to your surroundings
2. Clean up spills immediately
3. Keep walkways and hallways free of clutter and obstacles
4. Keep drawers shut when not in use
5. Replace burnt-out lightbulbs immediately
6. Cover cables and cords in walkways
7. Use handrails when they are available

Lifting and carrying are power jobs that require special care and training to prevent back injuries. Whether lifting at home or work, make an effort to take care of your back to better prevent injury:

1. Start your day with slow stretches and gentle warm-ups to better prepare your muscles for activity
2. Protect your hands a feet by wearing safety gear
3. Pull your stomach in firmly and lift with your legs, not your back
4. Make sure your footing is solid and you keep your back straight
5. If you need to turn, move your feet rather than twisting your back
6. Do not carry a large load by yourself, ask for help

Using a ladder can be dangerous, so it's important to consider the task to choose the correct size and style, and to employ the correct technique and safety precautions when using a ladder to better prevent the potential for injury:

1. Inspect ladders before use to ensure they're in good condition
2. Ensure the ladder is set on a firm, level base
3. Maintain a 3-point contact (2 hands and 1 foot; 2 feet and 1 hand) when climbing
4. Set extension ladders against a wall at a 1:4 ratio (base should be 1 foot from the wall for every 4 feet of height)
5. Only one person should be on a ladder at a time
6. Never use metal ladders around electrical lines

Whether you spend your days on an assembly line, typing on a computer, or somewhere in between, it's important to know the signs of overexertion. Symptoms can include posture problems and intermittent discomfort, tendonitis, chronic pain and disability. Regular exercise, stretching and strength training are all beneficial in preventing injury, and so are the following tips:

1. Plan a lift before you begin, keep your back straight and lift with your legs
2. Limit the amount of time you spend doing the same motion over and over
3. Take frequent breaks from any sustained position every 20-30 minutes
4. If you work at a desk, move frequently used items close to you, use a footrest, and adjust the height of your computer
5. Report pain, swelling, numbness, tingling, tenderness, clicking or loss of strength before it becomes a full-blown injury

Three-quarters of those struggling with addiction to alcohol, pain medication, marijuana and other substances are employed. Substance abuse not only causes absenteeism which affects a company's productivity, but greatly impacts the overall health and safety of all employees. Help maintain a safe work environment and combat impairment and drug use at work by:

1. Reporting any concerns you have to your supervisor
2. Disclose any prescription medications you are taking, either temporarily or on an ongoing basis
3. Understand the impact and side effects prescription medications, especially pain medications, have on you

While some industries are more prone than others, workplace violence can happen anywhere. Workplace violence falls into four categories: criminal intent, customer/client, worker-on-worker and personal relationship. Regardless of the confrontation, the deadliest situations involve an active shooter.

A lot can happen in the chaotic minutes before police arrive, so your best options are to stay calm and either run, hide, or fight.

1. If there is an accessible escape route, leave your belongings and get out as quickly as possible.
2. If escape isn't possible, find a hiding place, lock and blockage the door and silence your phone.
3. As a last resort and only if your life is in imminent danger, attempt to incapacitate the shooter by throwing items, improvising weapons and yelling. 

• Excessive use of alcohol or drugs
• Unexplained absenteeism, change in behavior or decline in job performance
• Depression, withdrawal or suicidal comments
• Resistance to changes at work, or persistent complaints of unfair treatment
• Violation of company policies
• Emotional responses to criticism, mood swings
• Paranoia

Many make light of how little sleep they get on a regular basis, not realizing that the effects of fatigue can negatively impact all areas of our life. Sleep is critical to your overall health, and is critical to maintaining your safety in the workplace considering that safety performance decreases as employees become tired. Here are some tips on fighting fatigue:

1. Try to get between 7-9 hours of sleep each night, even if it means going to bed a little earlier
2. Get some exercise: take a short walk on your break, go for a jog after work, choose to take the stairs instead of the elevator
3. Drink plenty of water
4. Cut down on the caffeine and alcohol

Driving is something most of us do on a daily basis, so it's easy to forget some of the most basic safety practices involved. Whether you just drive to and from work, or drive for work, it's your job to do your best to keep the roads safe - both for yourself and for other drivers. Here's some tips on how:

1. Always use your seatbelt
2. Utilize the appropriate signals when turning
3. When stopping, give yourself enough time to gradually slow your speed, rather than slamming on your brakes
4. Do not drive distracted - put your cell phone away and leave the radio alone
5. Understand the functions and limits of the vehicle you're driving
6. Exercise caution when hazardous road conditions are present: slow down, leave extra space between vehicles, allow yourself extra room to slow to a stop

When the Summer heat is rolls in, it’s time to think about specific safety measures that will keep you having fun in the sun all Summer. Whether you’re working or playing out in the sunshine, be sure to takes steps to ensure you’re staying safe out in the heat.

• Get used to hot environments gradually.
• Always use sunscreen with an SPF of 15+ and wear clothing that minimizes exposed skin during activities in the direct sunlight.
• Drink plenty of cool water and sport beverages, and avoid alcohol and caffeinated beverages while in the heat.
• Try to avoid the Sun as much as possible between 10am - 4pm when it is at its brightest.
• Take breaks to cool off during hot summer days so you don’t overheat
• Find a cooler area to rest in, but avoid frigid air conditioning, if possible.
• Try not to stand immobile in one spot for extended periods of time – especially in the direct sunlight.
• Change your clothing, especially in very humid environments – sweat doesn’t evaporate easily.
• If you start to feel bad, stop your activities and seek help.

Winter has finally arrived and with its arrival comes hazardous weather conditions such as freezing temperatures, snow, sleet, and ice. Stay safe both at home and at work this Winter with these Winter weather safety tips:

1. Check the weather forecast before leaving home and plan ahead accordingly
2. Remove any view-blocking condensation and warm up your vehicle (just not in a closed garage) before driving
3. Allow more following distance when driving in wintery conditions
4. Dress appropriately to be in the cold weather: wear warm, dry, insulated clothing
5. Stay as dry as possible: bring extra dry clothing to change into if you do get wet
6. Recognize the symptoms of cold stress, hypothermia, and frostbite, and understand how to prevent both
7. Watch for new slip and fall hazards such as slush and ice: decrease the chances of slips and falls by walking with your hands out of your pockets
8. Warm up appropriately before any physical activity, such as shoveling snow
9. Stay hydrated by drinking warm, sweetened liquids