Every year, millions of Americans are injured while on the job, suffering ailments ranging in severity from cuts and scrapes to broken limbs, disfigurement, or even death.
Many of these tragedies are attributed to unsafe work environments, dangerous work practices, or exposure to harmful chemicals while on the job.
How can you keep from becoming a statistic? Here are a few simple ways to keep yourself and others safe at work.
Use Information Wisely Many injuries and accidents can be prevented simply by ensuring that everyone involved in a particular task is well informed of possible risks and have the proper training to carry out their jobs safely.
Take the initiative in seeking out the most recent safety information about your job.
If you feel that you have received inadequate training, or observe team members struggling with a similar difficulty, inform your employer of the problem immediately.
In the same way, if you notice potential safety hazards which need to be addressed, report them to your employer.
Remember: your employer has an obligation to provide its employees with the tools they need to work efficiently and safely.
Know Your Limits Be aware of the limits of your physical ability, particularly if your job involves frequent, repetitive, and/or heavy lifting.
Many work-related injuries, such as strained/pulled muscles, back pain, and joint injuries, are the result of overexertion, overwork, or improper lifting techniques.
To avoid falling victim to these common injuries, take steps to reduce the physical burden on your body.
For example, utilize carts, trolleys, dollies, or other tools to move heavy objects instead of relying solely on your own strength.
Also, if your job requires you to lift heavy objects manually, pay attention to the way that you do the lifting.
Keep your back straight at all times.
Make sure to use your knees and legs, rather than your back muscles.
Hold the object as close to your body as possible, as this allows you more stability and control and reduces the possibility of losing your balance.
Get Plenty of Rest It may seem obvious to take breaks during work, but it is very easy to get caught up in the repetitive nature of a job and forget to allow enough time for your body to cool down after any significant period of exertion.
Simply resting in between physically-intensive tasks can head off many potential injuries.
Also, do not underestimate the importance of sleep.
Being sleep-deprived slows reaction speed, decreases alertness, and impairs judgment - three things which are a recipe for disaster when combined with potentially dangerous situation or substances in the workplace.
Unfortunately, even the most cautious, conscientious, and careful worker can still fall prey to accidents, particularly if his employer negligently fails to provide a safe working environment.
However, the good news is that laws such as the Federal Employers' Liability Act (FELA) have been enacted to protect those working in high-risk environments, in this case, railroads.
Many of these tragedies are attributed to unsafe work environments, dangerous work practices, or exposure to harmful chemicals while on the job.
How can you keep from becoming a statistic? Here are a few simple ways to keep yourself and others safe at work.
Use Information Wisely Many injuries and accidents can be prevented simply by ensuring that everyone involved in a particular task is well informed of possible risks and have the proper training to carry out their jobs safely.
Take the initiative in seeking out the most recent safety information about your job.
If you feel that you have received inadequate training, or observe team members struggling with a similar difficulty, inform your employer of the problem immediately.
In the same way, if you notice potential safety hazards which need to be addressed, report them to your employer.
Remember: your employer has an obligation to provide its employees with the tools they need to work efficiently and safely.
Know Your Limits Be aware of the limits of your physical ability, particularly if your job involves frequent, repetitive, and/or heavy lifting.
Many work-related injuries, such as strained/pulled muscles, back pain, and joint injuries, are the result of overexertion, overwork, or improper lifting techniques.
To avoid falling victim to these common injuries, take steps to reduce the physical burden on your body.
For example, utilize carts, trolleys, dollies, or other tools to move heavy objects instead of relying solely on your own strength.
Also, if your job requires you to lift heavy objects manually, pay attention to the way that you do the lifting.
Keep your back straight at all times.
Make sure to use your knees and legs, rather than your back muscles.
Hold the object as close to your body as possible, as this allows you more stability and control and reduces the possibility of losing your balance.
Get Plenty of Rest It may seem obvious to take breaks during work, but it is very easy to get caught up in the repetitive nature of a job and forget to allow enough time for your body to cool down after any significant period of exertion.
Simply resting in between physically-intensive tasks can head off many potential injuries.
Also, do not underestimate the importance of sleep.
Being sleep-deprived slows reaction speed, decreases alertness, and impairs judgment - three things which are a recipe for disaster when combined with potentially dangerous situation or substances in the workplace.
Unfortunately, even the most cautious, conscientious, and careful worker can still fall prey to accidents, particularly if his employer negligently fails to provide a safe working environment.
However, the good news is that laws such as the Federal Employers' Liability Act (FELA) have been enacted to protect those working in high-risk environments, in this case, railroads.
Source...