Keeping your workplace safe is important to making sure employees don’t get hurt on the job. Here are a few things that should be done to make sure your workplace is as safe as possible. If you’ve already been hurt, you may be able to show your employer was negligent by highlighting the issues found in the workplace
To prevent slips and falls, clean up.
Reporting spills, keeping exits and aisles clear, and wearing anti-slip footwear is important for all workplaces. Use drip pans and make sure to replace damaged flooring or, at the very least, mark it so others know it’s potentially dangerous.
Control dust levels as well as possible.
Dust can be a cause for concern, especially for employees who don’t wear face masks to prevent them from breathing it in. Dust can cause irritation to the lining of the lungs and has the potential to be toxic to the body, depending on the kind you’re working with.
Dust that covers over five percent of a room’s surface also has the potential to explode; that’s an event that is completely avoidable if you just clean up the area. Make sure to use industrial vacuums and air purifiers to keep the room safe.
Clear up clutter for a safer environment.
Clutter is an issue, because it can make it hard to see a hazard. For instance, if there’s clutter on a desk and one of the bits on the bottom of a pile is a knife, it could end up cutting someone who doesn’t know it’s there. You also won’t have enough room to work, because you’ll constantly be avoiding piles of clutter. Clean up the space, and you’ll find it’s safer for everyone.
Source: Safety Health, “11 tips for effective workplace housekeeping,” Sarah Trotto, accessed Jan. 12, 2016
