Accident Prevention Quiz

QUESTION

Name the plans, preparations and actions that can be taken to try to prevent accidents from happening in the workplace.

ANSWER

Know the hazards and potential risks in the workplace and implement an action plan for accident prevention encapsulated as follows:

  • Be aware of surroundings.
  • Look for ways to reduce or eliminate hazards and implement them.
  • Report unsafe areas or practices.
  • Dress for the weather.

WHY IS IT RIGHT

Workplace Accident

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration, OSHA has a succinct definition for a workplace accident. It’s an ”unplanned event that results in personal injury or property damage.

Whatever variation of the definition you prefer, workplace accidents can be painful and costly for both employers and employees.

Accidents can’t be avoided 100% of the time simply because some things cannot be foreseen. That doesn’t mean their likelihood can’t be diminished greatly. In fact, in many cases workplace injuries are the direct result of not following safety precautions.

How to Prevent Workplace Accidents

The best way to avoid workplace accidents is through a Strategic Safety Plan. With proactive measures in place, employers and employees can create a culture of safety and a targeted accident prevention program.

Here are some tips to bolster safety efforts:

Promote safety awareness and education with regular safety briefings and employee safety training.

Install proper lighting to create a well-lit and visible jobsite that makes it easier for your staff to see potential risks and avoid them.

Communicate safety hazards with adequate signage that clearly identifies hazardous areas and potential risks like obstacles, spills, toxic materials, or other hazards.

Contain spills quickly when they happen, and remember to always have cleanup equipment readily accessible in your workplace.

Routinely check for safety hazards, like spills or obstacles.

Install proper ventilation to prevent toxic chemicals or other foreign particles from being inhaled by your employees.

Enforce proper attire that’s necessary for accident prevention, like hard hats or slip-resistant shoes.

Preventing accidents and creating a culture of safety awareness are the best ways to ensure that the above does not happen in your place of business.

Steps To Follow When Accident Happens

  1. The number one thing is to report it immediately. Some employees don’t think to report an incident if there isn’t serious injury.

In reality, every accident should be reported. An injury that seems minor when it first happens can end up being more serious down the line.

  1. It’s important to report any injury immediately is because it indicates a hazard that should be addressed.

Even if the employee wasn’t injured in any serious way, reporting the incident can give the employer information to make a protocol change that will prevent future accidents.

  1. Report the injury immediately is because there is often a short span of time to report an accident for employees to be eligible for workers’ compensation coverage related to accidents.

WHY IS EVERYTHING ELSE WRONG

Workplace accidents can lead to a loss of productivity. If a worker is harmed in the workplace, he or she may have to take time off of work. With the rest of the team having to pick up the slack, you’re likely to lose the productivity you would have had with a fully staffed team.

Additionally, such accidents can impact other employees and may cause them to feel unsafe in their workplace. This can translate to deflated morale and a loss of motivation, both of which can negatively impact productivity.

A business’s negligence that results in an accident or a bodily injury can have serious financial and legal implications. Workers’ compensation claims may arise, as well as possible litigation. A single lawsuit can significantly impede business growth and can even drive a business into bankruptcy.