We all have to be conscious of ourselves on the job, but for those of us who work in dangerous environments, awareness and precaution can make the difference between life and death. Many positions require people to risk their health every day, and it’s vital that you understand how to protect themselves and stay safe while you earn a living.
These three workplace safety tips will help you prevent injuries and avoid accidents on the job.
Understand and Follow Procedures
The longer you hold a position, the more comfortable you become performing its duties. Over time, you develop your own way of doing things and may discover faster, easier ways to get work done. Unfortunately, many people who try to get things done quickly or more efficiently ignore safety protocol and wind up hurting themselves or others.
Make sure that you clarify proper procedures with your manager and colleagues if there are any uncertainties. No matter how tedious they may feel, those extra steps you want to skip are in place to protect everyone.
Don’t Place Productivity above Safety
It’s okay if you test the waters and make sure something is safe before going through with it. Under no circumstance should you ever feel pressured to compromise your security and well-being to get a job done. Work pressure is real, and if you have a demanding boss or a deadline fast approaching, it’s easy to focus solely on the task and risk your own well-being.
Sticking to a schedule and collaborating whenever possible will ensure that work is accomplished in a timely manner without jeopardizing anyone’s health. If you or a coworker feel that something is dangerous or you were not supplied with the proper safety equipment, tell your supervisor or upper management.
Know When to Tell a Third Party
If your boss is pressuring you to perform a task without the needed safety equipment or preventative measure in place, you may need outside help. If you have gone to your supervisors and upper management with your safety concerns and they have dismissed them in the name of cutting costs or increasing productivity, be sure to contact an authoritative body and an attorney about your situation.
Reporting the situation to a workers’ rights group, a safety official, or worker’s compensation attorney—especially if you have been hurt in any way—can help you with any steps moving forward and make right the situation.
No amount of preparation can prevent everything from happening, but diligence and self-awareness go a long way when it comes to working in hazardous environments. Communication is more important than ever when people’s health is at stake, so never hesitate to reach out to your boss or talk to a coworker and keep everyone safe.
This article was written by Dixie Somers, a freelance writer who loves to write for business, finance, and family issues. She lives in Arizona with her husband and three beautiful daughters. You can find Dixie on Facebook.
