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Here are a few tips to help you prevent accidents at work:

Have a Zero-Accident Mindset You are more likely to have an accident on your hands if you start off believing that accidents are inevitable. This is because such a view tends to make you have a laidback attitude to safety. It is better to begin by assuming that all accidents can be prevented, and work towards eliminating all possible hazards.

Be Careful and Alert to Possible Workspace Hazards Disorderly workspaces could put workers in harm’s way. Spills, toxic gases and electrical connection issues are some of the major causes of work-related injury and ill health; be on the lookout for them. Clean up liquid spills when you come across them and alert management when you notice signs of dangerous emissions or leakages. Loose or exposed wiring should be attended to as quickly as possible. It is also risky to leave electrical appliances on when they are connected to their power sources. They should be switched off, and/or disconnected from those sources.

workplace accident

Adhere to Company’s Safety Policy The safety policy of a company would usually contain its general policy pertaining to the safety of its workers and property, as well as the duties of company personnel in ensuring that its safety standards are maintained. However, having a safety policy is not enough. It is important for company staff to get educated about what the contents of the policy mean.

Don’t Choose Profit over Safety Business owners and decision makers might assume that they do not have to acquire all the safety equipment required for their business. In order to cut costs, they provide only “the essentials”. Some do not provide them at all. But the cost of accidents, when they do happen, could be much more than the “gain” made from depriving the workspace of much-needed safety equipment.

When you’re Not Certain, Ask Questions If you do not understand the details of a task you have been told to carry out, request for more information about it. Do not assume that your incomplete knowledge is sufficient. Working based on assumption could be dangerous, especially if the work involves delicate or complicated physical operations that require precise information to carry out.

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This article was first published on 3rd September 2016 and updated on November 7th, 2016 at 9:42 am

ikenna-nwachukwu

Ikenna Nwachukwu holds a bachelor's degree in Economics from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. He loves to look at the world through multiple lenses- economic, political, religious and philosophical- and to write about what he observes in a witty, yet reflective style.