Are you getting ready to embark on a new career at a shop or manufacturing factory?
One of the first things you need to do is attend training and be informed about all of the facts regarding your employment.
One of the main components of a productive workplace environment is safety. Not only should there be safety measures in place, but you should also carry out safe work practices throughout the day. Here are just a few ways that you can remain safe and productive while also having the proper necessities on hand to carry out your job.
Properly Fitted Safety Gear
Aside of a clean and functional workstation, you should also have the right safety gear on before you enter the workplace. This means clothing that fits properly and securely. No bulky shirts, pants and jackets should be considered safe because they can catch on machinery or rip—causing bodily harm or extensive injury. Safety glasses are a must in the workplace. Your employer will likely provide you with the basic safety items to make your job safer. This includes safety glasses or goggles that will help protect your eyes from UV light or flying, loose material.
Keep in mind that most employers won’t pay for safety glasses that need a prescription, but they may offer a discount toward it. Find affordable online prescription safety glasses that you can wear at work.
Always think about your feet as well. While your employer is not responsible for buying you the right boots or shoes for the job, the company may offer significant discounts through special offers through specific manufacturers or retailers. Choose heavy-duty, yet comfortable steel-toed boots to help protect your feet and toes throughout the workday.
A Clean Work Space
One of the most important aspects of a good work environment is cleanliness. It starts with keeping your own work area as clean as possible. This means following protocols for cleaning up after work messes as they occur. From there, an overall cleaning up of your work area by dusting and eliminating dirt and grime buildup is extremely helpful. Not only will the area be cleaner, but it will be a more productive workspace as well.
A major factor in avoiding any type of disaster in the workplace is to keep it free of trash and free-flowing items. Containers, cylinders and scrap metal can easily get underneath presses or robots, or you can hit these items with a hi-lo or other piece of moving machinery. The result is an injury that is both unexpected and unnecessary. Always keep your workplace picked up and debris free at all times.
Proper Reporting
What do you do if there is something on the job that violates OSHA or company safety regulations? Do you just ignore it and go about your day? No, you should always report a problem or potential safety violation. Initially, you should speak with your manger or supervisor immediately.
From there, they will give you the right paperwork, such as an incident report to fill out and then file it into your personnel file. Part of the process is documentation of the incident and the information that you know in regards to it. All of this is helpful when the state examines company records and documents. In addition, you should also refer to your company handbook when it comes to handling spills and accidents on the job.
Understanding Safety Protocols
As an employee, if you’re faced with an unforeseen accident at work, the first thing you should do is get medical attention. This will help ensure that your on-the-job injury is documented properly and you’re getting proper care. Make sure to tell the doctor and medical staff that you were injured on the job, otherwise they might bill the wrong insurance company or you’ll have to pay out-of-pocket for care and rehabilitation. This is important because all of this information is then reported to your employer’s insurance company as well as workmen’s compensation.
All of these details need to be recorded and shared with an insurance claims specialist to ensure that you get properly reimbursed for your medical care and for any time off you’ll need to take in regards to the injury.
Making sure that your day flows quickly at work is important. A safe and productive environment starts with keeping your work area clean and following proper protocols throughout the day. The result is a thriving work environment for all employees.