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Running Head: Workplace Safety

Workplace Safety

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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 the 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 adheres 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 to 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 the occupational and physical therapists can also enhance workplace ergonomics and create a relevant human performance evaluation to aid in screening candidates for physically demanding duties and help in the return-to work process.

Furthermore, labels and signs can be employed as effective and cost-efficient way of communicating vital information. They are typically simple and depend on pictures to comprehend hazards and proper procedures. Keeping equipment clean in the workplace prevents unnecessary accidents. Performing a regular inspection helps to check for potential dangers including disorganized tools, messy floors, and tangled cords. Besides, some programs such as 5S can reliably provide valuable improvements in an organization that lead to low clutter.

Ensuring that employees have the right or appropriate tools and regular inspection of equipment also foster workplace safety. The right equipment and tools create a safer work environment and better products. It 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 is more effective than passive stretching.

The implementation of safety protocols in the organization (Reuter & Camba 2017). Normally, workplace safety begins from the first day meaning that it entails hiring qualified individuals who are keen on details. Every safe environment starts with workers who adheres to safety requirements and undertake their duties as per the outlined procedures. Some staff also work with physical therapists in analyzing the physical demands of every job role. The results are useful in the creation of a post-offer pre-placement functional testing and functional job analyses.

In conclusion, workplace is vital for every employee in the industry since everyone desire to work in a protected and safe environment. Health and safety are the most critical factors for organizations as they aid in promoting the wellness of the stakeholders especially the employers and employees. It is the moral obligation and duty of every company to focus on employee’s protection. It is important as it ensure that employees are aware of the surrounding. Some of the employees doesn’t bother about their surrounding hazards. It is vital to observe the co-employees working circumstances. Once one is aware of particular hazards occurring at the workplace, it will aid in reducing the risks and facilitate development of precautionary measures.

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 and society, 30(5), 858-875.

Reuter, E., & Camba, J. D. (2017). Understanding emergency workers' behavior and perspectives on design and safety in the workplace. Applied ergonomics, 59, 73-83.