Productivity in the workplace is paramount, but safety should never fall by the wayside either. No matter what industry you’re working in, here are some general workplace safety guidelines to help make sure that you don’t put yourself or others in an unnecessarily risky situation.
Don’t…
Assume You Know Everything
Have you ever been utterly certain that you’re doing something correctly, but realized upon further reflection that you’re not really sure if you ever learned that properly? Make it your mission to find out what the actual procedure is. You might be surprised to find that although you’re getting results, you’re skipping crucial steps that help make the process more reliable and secure (routine checks are a common example). That’s okay – that’s what they write this stuff down for! – but you still need to get yourself up to speed as soon as possible so that you’re working within the same parameters as everyone else.
Cut Corners
Put things away when you’ve finished using them. Use the proper techniques to lift and move things. Wear your hardhat, gloves, safety goggles, whatever it is that your line of work requires. Do every little thing consciously, not on auto-pilot. One of the leading causes of accidents is simple carelessness, and it’s so easy to guard against it that there’s no reason not to do so.
Deviate From Established Methods
Don’t try to MacGyver your way to success in the workplace, even when you’re staring down a tight deadline or quota. If the job needs a band saw and you only have a hand saw, the job can wait. Not only will the finished product look much better, but the process will go as it’s intended to and everyone will know what to expect. Too many disastrous accidents have taken place simply because someone was caught off-guard.
Do…
Stay Up-To-Date On Your Training
Safety practices are constantly being updated, to say nothing of special procedures and precautions for any new equipment that comes in. If you don’t go out of your way to check out any new information that comes up and make time for any new training courses or seminars, you’re putting yourself at risk.
Ask Questions When You Need To
If you’re unsure about a safety-related matter, speak up. It may seem like a waste of time, but it only takes one split-second mistake to cause an accident that could seriously injure or kill someone. It won’t make you look stupid; it’s actually the smart thing to do.
Promote Safety for Others, Too
Encourage your coworkers to join you on your quest to be proactive about safety. Not only will this help keep your coworkers safe, but general awareness will also benefit the entire crew – cooperation multiplies the effect of your efforts. No more missing gear or equipment carelessly left out means a more secure environment for all.