Most large facilities have onsite accident prevention protocols. Some are required by the state, while others are simply for good measure in a dangerous work environment. However, no matter how safe or risk-averse you believe your workplace is, you should still always be improving and educating your employees on proper accident prevention protocol.
Accident prevention can happen at every level, from ground employees to executive actions. As most of us strive to prevent accidents, rather than have to respond to them, it’s important that everyone is on the same page when at work. Minor adjustments in your safety protocol can make all the difference in keeping employees and tenants safe inside your facility.
If you haven’t recently worked on your accident prevention plan, it may be time for an update. First, you should identify the safety risks that cause the most accidents in the workplace. These will be a first priority; if not addressed in your current safety plan, they should be now. Second, identify the risks to which yout are able to provide the easiest solutions. Oftentimes, the risks that cause the most accidents are also the easiest to remedy if given the proper time and attention. After you’ve addressed your top priority risks, critically look at your facility for these potential accident-causing dangers:
- Physical risks – Physical risks are often caused by improper training on certain pieces of equipment, or a lack of proper signage in areas of high hazard. Minimize these risks with proper training and adequate warnings in areas where caution is needed.
- Biological and chemical risks – If you work in a medical, manufacturing, or other industry in which biological hazards are present, you need to identify these and provide proper avoidance training to your staff. Biological risks can also occur from lack of maintenance in facility systems such as your HVAC and plumbing. For example, water intrusion can lead to mold growth which puts your staff at risk. Invest in proper maintenance to address these potential issues.
- Environmental risks – Every geographic location has innate risks including storms, natural disasters, and environmental pests that could cause harm to your tenants and staff. Make sure your facility is adequately prepared with prevention measures and an emergency maintenance plan for natural disasters.
In order to make your accident prevention plan effective, you need to involve every employee and tenant in the process. Oftentimes those on the ground floor are more aware of potential hazards and risks than those in senior management. By involving these key players in your accident prevention plan, providing adequate training, and ensuring access to resources, you can significantly reduce onsite accidents.
MaintenX provides emergency maintenance services as well as preventative maintenance to keep many of these risks at bay. Water intrusion, structural decay, and other potential hazards can be avoided with proper preventative maintenance from the experts. Contact us today to learn more!
