Workplace Safety Name Institution Affiliati

6 Workplace Safety Workplace Safety Name Institution Affiliation Introduction Workplace safety is the working environment in an organization that consist of all the factors that affect health, safety, and well-being of the workers. A safe work environment is suitable for high productivity. Regardless of the type or size of the business, safety procedures in the workplace are essential for all staff. Besides, safety measures safeguard employees, business property, and equipment. Minimizing or avoiding injuries to employees and damages to facilities and equipment leads to less expenses and more benefits for a business.

There are several ways used in organizations to identify and prevent workplace safety hazards. Workplace safety is vital for the organization itself and the external stakeholders. “The first step in safeguarding employees is the identification of workplace safety hazards. The most common work safety concerns include weather-related hazards, dangers of falling, mechanical problems, restricted visibility, noise pollution, presence of hazardous chemicals, and ergonomics” (Abubakar et al., 2018). Issues with non-ergonomic equipment might lead to human problems like carpal tunnel syndrome and sore back.

Chemicals can also explode posing the danger of poisoning or resulting to burns. Mechanical safety issues can emerge from instances linked to the operation of machines in the workplace. Issues of noise and visibility can impair employees’ sight and hearing, which by implication, compromise their performance. Falls that result from negligence or poor housekeeping can lead to severe injuries or death in adverse cases. Due to the possible deaths, procedures ought to be put in place to prevent them.

Rain, snow, and ice can create hazards that are unique compared to the common issues. Employees should be trained on the safe and appropriate ways of operating equipment during adverse weather conditions. This helps to prevent the possible damages caused by rain, wind, snow, and ice. The improvement of workplace safety is a critical process in every organization. It essentially involves creating a workplace safety culture in the organization.

This can be achieved by comprehending the primary causes of the most common and adverse injuries and frequently surveying the workplace for possible safety hazards in work design and equipment. Insights on the most effective injury prevention can be gained by consulting occupational health experts. Upon having a clear picture of the workplace safety hot spots, it is appropriate to engage the employees to be assured of their support in developing a culture with safety being prioritized and emphasized. Some of the workplace safety tips include training employees well. Detailed training is critical in preventing workplace injuries.

It is essential to ensure that all employees have broad access to comprehensive safety training for their positions (Cioni & Savioli, 2016). Employees should also be rewarded for safe behaviors in the workplace. Rewards are generally an easy way of promoting workplace safety. Employees who adhere to safety policies can be given small rewards to keep them engaged. This can be a great effort in reducing workplace injuries.

Establishment of partnership with occupational clinicians is also an effective way of maintaining workplace safety. Occupational clinicians can offer valuable insights into workplace injuries and their preventions. They can also prevent or curb work injuries by visiting a worksite and noting areas with a high risk of employee injuries. Both occupational and physical therapists can also enhance workplace ergonomics and create relevant human performance evaluations to aid in screening candidates for physically demanding duties and assist in the return-to-work process. Furthermore, labels and signs can be employed as effective and cost-efficient methods of communicating vital information.

Keeping equipment clean in the workplace prevents unnecessary accidents. Performing regular inspections helps to check for potential dangers, including disorganized tools, messy floors, and tangled cords. Besides, programs such as 5S can reliably provide valuable organizational improvements that lead to low clutter. Ensuring that employees have the right or appropriate tools and conducting regular inspections of equipment also foster workplace safety.

The right equipment and tools create a safer work environment and improve product quality. It is essential to regularly clean, service, and inspect all equipment. Machine malfunction is among the most precarious workplace hazards. Encouraging stretch breaks improves employee health and workplace ergonomics. Active movement and regular exercise are more effective than passive stretching.

The implementation of safety protocols in the organization is vital (Reuter & Camba, 2017). Workplace safety begins from the first day, including hiring qualified individuals who are attentive to details. A safe environment starts with workers who adhere to safety requirements and perform their duties as per outlined procedures. Some staff also work with physical therapists to analyze the physical demands of each job role. The results are useful in creating post-offer pre-placement functional testing and functional job analyses.

In conclusion, the workplace is vital for every employee in the industry, as everyone desires to work in a protected and safe environment. Health and safety are critical factors for organizations because they promote the wellness of stakeholders, especially employers and employees. It is the moral obligation and duty of every company to focus on employee protection. Awareness of surrounding hazards is crucial as it helps reduce risks and facilitates the development of precautionary measures. Observing coworker work conditions and hazard occurrences is essential for safety improvement.

References

• Abubakar, A. M., Karadal, H., Bayighomog, S. W., & Merdan, E. (2018). Workplace injuries, safety climate and behaviors: Application of an artificial neural network. International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics, 1-11.
• Cioni, M., & Savioli, M. (2016). Safety at the workplace: accidents and illnesses. Work, Employment & Society, 30(5), 775-791.
• Reuter, E., & Camba, J. D. (2017). Understanding emergency workers' behavior and perspectives on design and safety in the workplace. Applied Ergonomics, 59, 73-83.
• Gyekye, S. A., Mensah, V. G., & Sarpong, R. (2020). Enhancing workplace safety culture: Policy implications. Safety Science, 127, 104724.
• Hale, A. R., & Hovden, J. (2019). Progress and challenges in safety culture research. Safety Science, 57, 41-50.
• Li, W., & Zhang, W. (2021). Strategies for improving occupational health and safety management practices. Journal of Safety Research, 77, 16-27.
• Burke, M., & Magnavita, N. (2018). Workplace safety and health promotion: establishing safety cultures. European Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology, 27(4), 470-480.
• DeJoy, D. M., Schaffer, S., & Della, L. (2020). Improving workplace safety: Evidence-based strategies. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 62(3), e89-e94.
• Manuele, F. A. (2019). On the Human Side of Safety: An Integrated Approach to Workplace Risk Management. Wiley.
• Dul, J., & Neumann, W. P. (2019). Ergonomics contributions to workplace safety and health. Applied Ergonomics, 29(2), 105-115.