10 Workplace Safety Tips for 2013

In the past four decades since OSHA’s inception, there has been a dramatic effect on workplace safety. Worker injuries and deaths are down significantly – from approximately 38 worker deaths a day in 1970 to 13 a day in 2011.

Safe workplaces don’t happen by accident…They happen when there is a culture of safety within the workplace. To help encourage that culture of safety within your organization – here are 10 Workplace Safety Tips to follow in 2013.

1. Design a safe work area: A work area may include work benches, conveyors, furniture, equipment and vehicles. The layout of an area where a particular job is based is critical to preventing injuries and ensuring an efficient job and workplace;

2. Maintain a clean work area: A clean work area is a Safe work area. Not only will a clean environment remove many hazards, you will ensure greater productivity from your employees;

3. Involve your employees in the safety planning: The single most powerful source of motivation for workplace safety - is employee ownership of the safety process;

4. Provide clear work instructions: Provide thorough training and clear, written instructions and make sure that each worker reads and acknowledges your safety program;

5. Focus your safety efforts on the most likely problems: Although it’s necessary to plan for major safety concerns, your greatest impact will come from eliminating the small safety violations that contribute the most frequent injuries;

6. Encourage your employees to bring safety deficiencies to management’s attention: Employees who provide information and insight into common workplace safety issues are contributing to the culture of safety in your workplace;

7. Watch and learn how each employee performs their job: Watch for employees who are taking shortcuts that could reduce safety but also keep an eye out for employees who are performing tasks in an improved manner that could be adopted by the other staff;

8. Maintain all machinery in good working order: It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure that all machinery is in good working order and that a routing maintenance program is in place;

9. Avoid unnecessary hazards: Do a routine inspection of your workplace frequently to identify any unnecessary hazards;

10. Revisit your safety guidelines every year. Start off each year with an inspection of your workplace and a thorough review of your safety program.