Getting hurt on the job is no joke. If you’re injured at work, you could be facing a long road to recovery—and mounting medical bills. That’s why it’s so important to do everything you can to stay safe while you’re on the clock. Here are a few workplace safety tips that can help you avoid an on-the-job injury:
Know The Risks
Before you can take steps to avoid an injury, you need to know what you’re up against. Different jobs come with different risks. If you know what the dangers are in your line of work, you’ll be better equipped to take the necessary precautions.
For example, if you work in a warehouse, lifting heavy objects is probably one of the biggest risks you face. In that case, using proper lifting techniques—and asking for help when an object is too heavy—is key.
Follow Safety Protocol
Once you know the risks involved in your job, it’s important to follow safety protocol to the letter. That might mean wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), following specific procedures when handling dangerous materials, or adhering to strict guidelines when operating machinery. Whatever the case may be, make sure you’re always following safety protocol—no shortcuts allowed.
Take Breaks and Stay Rested
When you’re tired, your reflexes aren’t as sharp as they normally would be, which puts you at a higher risk for injury. If possible, take regular breaks throughout the day to rest and rejuvenate yourself. And make sure you’re getting enough sleep at night so that you’re well-rested when you head into work in the morning.
Be Aware of Your Surroundings
Another way to prevent workplace injuries is to be aware of your surroundings. This means being aware of potential hazards and taking steps to avoid them.
For example, if you are working with power tools, be aware of where your hands and fingers are at all times. Do not allow yourself to become distracted while working so that you can stay focused on what you are doing. And always follow posted safety signs and signals.
Report Unsafe Conditions
If you see an unsafe condition at work, report it immediately to your supervisor or another person in a position of authority. Do not try to fix the problem yourself unless you have been trained to do so and you know it is safe to do so. By reporting unsafe conditions right away, you can help prevent injuries before they happen.
If your supervisor isn’t willing to listen, you can report it to The DC Office of Risk Management, and/or contact a lawyer as soon as possible.
Ask Questions if You’re Unsure of Something
If you’re ever in doubt about how to safely perform a task at work, don’t hesitate to ask questions. Your boss or supervisor should be more than happy to provide you with the information you need to stay safe on the job. It’s better to take a few extra minutes to ask questions than to rush into a task and wind up getting hurt.
Staying safe on the job is essential to avoiding an on-the-job injury, but it’s not always easy. By following these workplace safety tips, however, you can help keep yourself out of harm’s way and reduce your risk of being hurt while working.
Of course, even if you do everything right, there’s always a chance that something could go wrong and you could still get hurt. If that happens and you need legal assistance, contact us today for a free consultation with one of our experienced workers’ compensation lawyers in Washington, D.C..