Safety First!

“Safety First!” is a phrase to describe methods and training used to prevent or decrease the amount of injuries in the workplace. “Safety First!” should be the phrase all industrial and manufacturing areas adopt, because it encompasses the goal of what should be the motto of every employer and employee working in an area subjected to safety regulations. By guaranteeing safety in the beginning, the injury can be prevented in the end.

Costs Associated With Workplace Injuries and Illnesses

Not only is a motto of “Safety First!” ideal in preventing injuries or accidents in an industrial setting, it is also beneficial for reducing the costs associated with injuries and accidents, leading to a more financially stable company.

Overall, it has been estimated work-related injuries costs between $40-$45 billion last year, with at least $1 billion being paid for medical bills and compensation per week. Of this $45 billion, at least 26 percent ($13.4 billion) of this money was used to treat injuries resulting from “Overexertion.” This information is based on the “2005 Liberty Mutual Workplace Safety Index Findings.” Other statistics revealed:

· $6.9 billion to treat employee injuries due to “Falling On The Same Level.”
· $4.6 billion to treat employees “Struck By An Object”
· $3.0 billion went towards injuries due to “Repetitive Motions”
· $2.0 billion was paid to treat injuries resulted from employees “Caught In Compressed Equipment.”

Therefore, the staggering costs of injuries and illnesses in an occupational setting emphasize the importance of being safe and preventing accidents.

Preventing Head Injuries

Whether at home or at work, “Safety First!” in regards to preventing head injuries is extremely important. Head injuries quite often result from a blow to the head. Other causes of head injuries involve slipping, tripping, or falling down and hitting the head.

However, head injuries can be prevented if a proper hard hat is worn, especially in areas where materials are being moved overhead.

For someone trying to prevent head injuries, the proper safety rules must be followed, and items should not be transported overhead without proper head protection worn by all employees.

Preventing Falls

“Falls” are common workplace injuries, and finding more ways to prevent them from happening is needed.

To prevent falls from occurring:

· Employees should be trained on the proper use of equipment especially harnesses, ropes, and scaffolding.
· Equipment should be checked for tears or holes before every use.
· If working on a bridge, safety nets should be in place below.
· Employees should be taught to be careful when going down stairs, and to remove any items blocking their path.
· Ensure proper lighting is in place before walking.
· Any repairs to climbing equipment, stairways, or light fixtures should be treated immediately.

The best way to practice safety and prevent falling at work is to spot a hazardous situation

Are You At Risk?

According to the “Census Of Fatal Occupational Injuries,” there are approximately 4 deaths per 100,000 of the population, due to occupational injuries. Most of the fatal injuries occurred in the construction and transportation industries, or in workers over 55 years old. “Falls On The Same Level” was responsible for a number of these fatalities.

An interesting fact released by the “Census Of Fatal Occupational Injuries,” is the increase in employees being fatally injured from an object falling on them. Overall, the “Census” revealed that more than 90 percent of work-related injuries occur at private companies.

Based on this information, develop a plan to practice “Safety First!” if you are in an industry with a high level of workplace injuries.

Preventing Industrial Eye Injury

The first step in preventing injury to the eyes in an industrial setting is to wear protective equipment. Many industrial workers have been able to prevent injury to their eyes this way.

Another tip to prevent eye injury in the workplace is to investigate hazardous areas or tasks. Certain chemicals have the potential to cause damage to the eyes. In these areas, goggles with a face shield can be worn, while plans are implemented to reduce the hazardous nature of an area.

The three top causes of eye injuries include welding accidents, tools or machinery entering the eye, and bonding agents splashing onto the face.

Therefore, by knowing which areas are more likely to be hazardous to your vision, adequate prevention methods can be adopted.

Industrial Injury Prevention Programs

The introduction of an industrial injury prevention program is a great idea, and is the first step in controlling and reducing the injuries associated with the work environment.

An industrial injury prevention program can be used to practice “Safety First!” in many ways:

· An industrial prevention program is a great way for company owners to communicate with staff members about the benefits of practicing safety.
· It can be used as a way to assess areas, which pose a threat to staff, and have these hazards removed.
· An industrial injury prevention program is also beneficial in reinforcing the proper way to wear protective equipment.
· An industrial injury prevention program can be established to accustom management and lower-level staff on frequent internal safety inspections
· Besides this, industrial injury prevention programs are advantageous in correcting problem areas in safety procedures carried out by the workplace

Hearing Loss Prevention

Written below are the most common ways to prevent hearing loss in an industrial setting by:

· Wearing hearing protective equipment such as ear plugs or ear muffs.
· Maintaining and checking hearing protectors for signs of “wear and tear.”
· Having your hearing regularly tested.
· Lessening the amount of time spent in areas where the sound is greater than 85 decibels.
· Turning down loud music, and minimizing exposure to loud noise-producing machinery.

Lockout/Tagout (LOTO)

“Lockout/Tagout” (LOTO) might seem like a complicated phrase, but it simply refers to a way in which employees can be trained to decrease the chances of them suffering an injury or electrical shock.

The “Lockout/Tagout” method is an ideal way to have employees remember to turn off a machine or tool they are using, separate it from its power source, and either tag or lock the machine or tool until it has been determined all of the power has drained from it.

The LOTO method is of great importance in the manufacturing industry where another employee can move the machine or tool, and suffer injury if the machine or tool has not been locked into position, or prevented from turning on accidentally.

Ergonomics In The Workplace

Ergonomics is one way to prevent injury within an industrial office. Repetitive actions can lead to musculoskeletal injuries, especially to the hands, wrists, arms, and shoulders.

Switching over office equipment to ergonomically friendly substitutes is always the best way to prevent repetitive injuries. The ergonomic substitutions can include desks, chairs, keyboards, and mouse.

By reducing the amount of repetitive strain injuries, the workplace becomes more comfortable, and encourages productivity because the employee is not sick because of their job.