Workplace Safety & Accident Prevention: The Best Organizations Are Proactive

 

“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

                     –  Ben Franklin

That adage certainly applies to accident prevention in today’s work environment, doesn’t it?!

The best organizations are those focused on long-term consistency with a full understanding of all aspects of workplace safety.

The long-tern benefits to workers and the bottom-line are significantly advanced with a proactive approach.

Proactive Measures in Workplace Safety

When it comes to Workplace Safety & Accident Prevention, the best organizations adhere to the Franklin quote by implementing prevention measures to avoid the heavier cost of the cure, when a preventable accident does occur.

Proactive = Proper Training

Everyone at the job site must be aware of workplace safety risk factors and fully comply with the training requirements and regulations.

Safety training requirements must be communicated, starting at the time of hire and continuing with seminars and refresher training.

A proactive approach includes a culture of workplace safety and an emphasis on safety training.

Proactive = Planning for Risks

A work task to be completed under risky conditions requires detailed planning.

The greater the risk, the greater the planning detail required.

Proactive planning requires an assessment of the risk issues and mitigation steps to either avoid the event and/or minimize the expected impact.

For example, consider a risk assessment example related to working at heights, since many serious accidents occur in this category.

• What tasks need to be preformed at a height greater than 4 feet?
• How many workers, tools and materials that could fall can be eliminated from a job to avoid incidents?
• What restraint systems, fall restricting systems, and fall rest systems, such as safety nets, work belts or other types safety mechanisms are required to avoid or limit an incident?
• What is the plan to ensure ladders are used safety?

These are just some of the many questions you’ll want to consider when planning for risk potential. That’s the best way to mitigate risk – by anticipating it.

Being Proactive Requires Response Preparation

Additional planning may include verification that first aid kits are stocked and available nearby.

Ensure that someone on the team has completed medical procedure training in addition to the safety training.

Every member of the work team should have emergency numbers ready on their mobile phone devices.

Being proactive means planning and preparation, not only in preventing accidents, but allowing your team to be able to act effectively in the event an incident does occur at the work site.

Proactive = Equipment at the Ready

Ladders and safety equipment, to include restraint systems, safety nets, work belts or other types safety equipment, should always complete a final inspection before being issued for use at the site.

Each piece of personal protective equipment (PPE) should be verified as ready before workers begin start the job.

A disciplined maintenance routine is essential for keeping older equipment ready to go.

New tools may require a dry run verification process before being put into service.

These important equipment checks are an investment in prevention to avoid costly accidents later. A good work team will have been well-trained to use the safety equipment, and rely on safety equipment to function properly.

Invest in Your Ounce of Prevention

The long-tern benefits to workers and the bottom-line are significantly advanced with a proactive safety approach.

The best organizations are those focused on long-term consistency towards accident prevention and completely understand all aspects of safe and efficient operations.

Contact us today to find out about our comprehensive safety training programs, from onsite and offsite courses to specialized consulting & planning.