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Keeping your Workplace Safe

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June is National Safety Month! While safety should be a priority all year, we thought it might be beneficial to highlight a few basic ways to keep your workplace safe. Safety in the workplace can look wildly diverse and require many different precautions depending on the field. 

Bodily Awareness

Listen to your body cues! Being in tune with how your body reacts to your environment and its physical demands can save you (and those around you) from many health and safety problems. If something feels off, take the necessary measures to either fix it or bring it to the attention of your HR or Safety team. See someone who is unlicensed operating machinery? Tell your manager. Experiencing pain from the items you are lifting? Check in with Safety. If something feels off, it most likely means that something is off. Make sure to speak up!

Rules and Regulations

A HUGE part of staying safe this month (and the rest of the year) is following all rules, regulations, and laws meant to keep you safe in the workplace. Not only are these guidelines in place to protect you, but they are also meant to protect those around you. You know what they say: “better safe than sorry!” Those holding leadership positions in a company should be especially conscious of following guidelines to set a precedent for others.

Research

Do some research on what you may be at risk for in your workplace, whether it be carpal tunnel syndrome or getting your arm stuck in a baler. It is essential to be aware so that you can take preventative measures to protect yourself and perhaps those around you. Refresh yourself on what your company procedures are when it comes to safety. Ensure that you are following guidelines closely.

A safe workplace is a cornerstone to having a happy and healthy work environment. 

June is National Safety Month

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National Safety Month

Did you know that June is National Safety Month? National Safety Month is observed annually in June and focuses on reducing work-related injuries and fatalities. According to the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), more than 6,000 employees in the United States die from workplace injuries each year. Another 6 million workers suffer non-fatal workplace injuries, costing employers $125 billion annually.

At JSG, safety is one of our top priorities year-round. Through the years, we have made great strides to improve the safety of both our staff members and contractors. In fact, our reported incidents were down 33.5% in 2018 from the previous year. We have thousands of contractors on payroll and it’s our goal to foster a zero-incident workplace. We can only achieve this goal through the participation of every employee in creating safe working environments. After all, that’s why our company’s safety slogan is “Safe Work is Great Work!”

In honor of National Safety Month, here are a few safety reminders to help ensure an incident-free summer in the workplace.

Slips, Trips, and Falls

Did you know that slips, trips, and falls are the largest cause of workplace accidents? In fact, there were 849 deaths from slips, trips, and falls in 2016. Many slips, trips, and falls are avoidable with proper care and good housekeeping. Slips, trips, and falls are a common result of things like floor contaminations, lighting inadequacies, wet weather conditions, or objects obstructing walkways. Here are a few ways to properly avoid these incidents:

  • Use floor markings to guide workers through a workspace and to identify safety hazards
  • Implement a 5S System (Sort, Set in order, Shine, Standardize, and Sustain) to ensure good housekeeping
  • Ensure proper lighting to identify safety hazards before they become incidents
  • Use signs and labels to inform workers or potential dangers in the workplace

Working in the heat

Summer is just around the corner. Temperatures are heating up, both in indoor and outdoor workplaces. Millions of workers are exposed to extreme temperature conditions on the job and exposure to the heat can cause serious illnesses. To reduce these heat-related illnesses, be sure you can properly recognize the symptoms of overexposure to these extreme conditions. If you’re not feeling well, tell your supervisor or co-workers and remove yourself from the heat exposure. Additionally, it’s crucial to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water!

Always report safety incidents

According to a recent study by the Accident Advice Helpline, one in six workers fail to report safety incidents. What makes this measure even more alarming is that 23 percent of people won’t report a safety incident because they believe it’s not their responsibility. If you see a safety hazard or dangerous working condition, please report it. Remember, safety starts with “S,” but it begins with “YOU.” If you are a victim of a safety incident or witness one, report it immediately to your supervisor and the JSG Safety and Risk Management Team at 888.659.8388.

Although it’s National Safety Month, workplace safety is crucial all year round. Remember, it’s the responsibility of each employee to work safely and to observe safety rules, practices, and procedures. Safe Work is Great Work!