Reducing Workplace Injuries Through Employee Training

Safety guidelines are not enough to protect a business and its employees from injuries. Communication is key in workplace safety, and both employees and management need to be able to voice their concerns.

Employees are an integral part of workplace safety. Employees are the ones that can help boost workplace safety because they’re in the field, getting their hands dirty.

Management, on the other hand, isn’t in the warehouse day and night. A management team may be in the office, sitting at a desk and not realize the imminent dangers or concerns that are in the factory.

Proper safety guidelines are a start, but there’s more that can be done to help bring employee training and safety concerns to the next level.

Teach Employees to Report Issues or Stress Their Concerns

Meet with employees and discuss the importance of revealing their concerns and issues in the workplace. Employers don’t want to create an environment where employees are scared to stress their issues with management.

Employees know the safety risks in the workplace better than anyone else.

Personal injuries and potential lawsuits are reduced when employee concerns are met with a proper response from management.

“While you are not permitted to sue your employer for a work-related injury, you may still have a personal injury case against a third party. For example, if you are a delivery truck driver and you are injured in an accident while making a delivery, you may have both a workers’ compensation claim as well as a personal injury case against the at-fault driver,” states Bogdan Martinovich.

Tool and Equipment Training

Training in proper tool and equipment usage is vital to any workplace safety policy. Employees need to know how to properly use tools and equipment they’re required to use in the workplace.

Shortcuts lead to injury.

Employees need to:

• Know the appropriate equipment to use on a situational basis
• How tools or equipment are used properly

Many machine or tool manufacturers will provide operational documentation and may also provide safety classes.

Safety Equipment Usage

Employee injuries are reduced with the help of safety equipment. The right equipment should be:

• Provided to the employee
• Explained to the employee on why it should be used

The right safety equipment for the task may include:

• Gloves
• Earplugs
• Masks
• Safety goggles

Employers should explain how to wear the appropriate safety gear.

Employee Responsibilities

Employees must know and understand their own responsibilities. These responsibilities include:

• Remaining sober
• Taking proper work breaks
• Knowing where safety equipment is located
• Knowing where exits are located
• Understanding the need to report safety issues to management
• How to properly evaluate surroundings to understand potential risks

Workers have a responsibility to know and be able to spot potential dangers in the workplace. The goal is to train your employees to know that they should be proactive and follow standard safety rules. Proper breaks, remaining sober and also knowing the basics, such as where exit doors are located and where safety equipment is found, can help reduce serious injuries.

Employee training on an annual basis along with safety measure reviews are a must to reduce workplace injuries.