With the first day of fall upon us, September 22, I & O Medical Centers would like to highlight Falls Prevention Awareness Day, also known as FPAD. FPAD is observed to help those in the community become more aware of preventative measures that can be implemented to provide
a safe and accident free work environment.
“In the calendar year 2016, the 42 fatalities experienced was a significant 35% increase in fatal accidents over 2015 and 2014 when 31 employees were killed on the job for both years.” Whether your business has 1,000 employees or 10, it is important to have protocols set in place regarding safety regulations, so that your company may avoid a Worker’s Compensation injury and/or fatality.
Follow these simple “housekeeping” practices within your business to avoid accidental falls and injuries.
- Enforcing Proper Uniforms: Many companies have a uniform policy already created and depending on the job description this can be an extremely important protocol that must be followed. Whether an employee works in a warehouse or in a more business professional setting, loose articles or oversized clothing can create a hazard within the workplace. This can lead to accidental tripping or falling. Everyday safety is also a large factor with being OSHA compliant, whether it pertains to wearing goggles, hard hats, proper footwear and certain mask coverage. Putting up signs to reinforce these protocols and providing supervisors with this education will help with this matter.
- Preventing Slips and Trips: Kee the workplace clear of items that may get in the way while working, install anti-slip flooring, keep items stored away and or hung up off the floor, create a distraction free work zone, and wear non-slip shoes. Employees should always report a spill or leakage within the working area and notify a supervisor immediately. Employers should also be aware of OSHA’s Walking-Working Surfaces Standard (1910.22(a)) which states that all workplaces should be “kept clean and orderly and in a sanitary condition.” OSHA includes the following areas: passageways, storerooms, and service rooms.
- Creating a Safe Work Environment: Encouraging your HR department to have an annual or bi-annual safety seminar provides knowledge so that employees may create a safe working environment while boosting morale. This can also be an effective way to keep
your staff accountable as well. Having the building inspected regularly and implementing small improvements along the way can aid in creating a safe work space. Little safety measures such as keeping the work space clean and free of dust or mobile objects, ridding your office of tracking materials, and preventing falling objects will also help avoid possible injuries as well.
Don’t let your business become another statistic! Employee safety should always come first!
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References:
“BEST PRACTICES FOR PREVENTING FATALITIES, INJURIES AND
ILLNESESS.” Virginia Department of Labor and Industry, Virginia Department of Labor and
Industry, www.doli.virginia.gov/vosh_enforcement/fatalities_intro.html. Accessed 18 Sept.
2017.
Fall Protection Systems – Simplified Safety, simplifiedsafety.com/blog/how-to- create-a-safe-working-environment/. Accessed 18 Sept. 2017.
“11 tips for effective workplace housekeeping.” Safety Health Magazine,
Safety Healthy, 1 July 2015,
www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com/articles/12470-tips- for-effective-
workplace-housekeeping. Accessed 18 Sept. 2017.