Why workplace safety is important? There is more to this question than one thinks. Workplace safety is very important for each and every employee in the industry because all workers desire to work in a safe and protected atmosphere. Occupational Health and Safety is the key factor for all industries in order to promote the wellness of both employees and employers. It is the duty and moral responsibility of the organization to look after the employee’s protection.
Each and every person who leaves his home for his work in the morning should come back to his home in the evening in good health. Have you ever imagined that your loved one will never be returning home? Or do you get a call that he/she is in the hospital due to some incident that occurred? These thoughts only get us goosebumps. This is the only reason why it is important to create a safe working environment.
These days, workplace health and safety procedures and practices are important for the well-being of both employees and employers because human loss is immeasurable and intolerable. As, such loss or injuries can employ major loss to families, society, and the nation at large.
All industries do have safety risks but the organization shall devote their time to thinking and strategizing as to what safety precautions/measures are required in their organization to make sure that their workers are safe enough for all the time. Also, the organization shall confirm with all the workers related to their daily work and comfort. So, that it can take the step according to the desired aspects of workers. The employees on the other hand should follow/adhere to the laid down Safety procedures & practices. This shall help them and the organization in improving the productivity and quality of the products in a safe & secure environment
1. Make Employees aware of the surroundings: There are many employees who don’t bother about their surroundings hazards. But, it is important to observe your co-employees working circumstances. Once you get to know about the particular hazards that occur at your workplace, then it shall help you in reducing the risk and allow you to take the precautionary steps.
2. Reduce workplace stress: Most of the employees are not fit and healthy because of their busy schedule, which includes long working hours, work pressure, and conflicts occurring with co-workers or with the boss of the organization. And, all these can lead to some illness or depression in the employees. Also, this not only affects their professional life but also creates a nuisance in their personal lives too. So, instead of waiting to get unfit, it is better that you start taking care of your health, by taking regular breaks, sitting in an appropriate posture with an appropriate diet. It shall be better for you to schedule your work accordingly and manage things to reduce your workplace stress.
3. Use tools & tackles appropriately: Take appropriate precautions while using machinery or any other tool, instead of taking any shortcuts. Taking shortcuts is one of the biggest reasons behind workplace loss. It’s the biggest safety risk to use scaffolding as a ladder or one tool instead of another for a particular job. So, it is always recommended to use the correct tools and reduce the opportunity of workplace injury. It is also recommended to carry out preventive maintenance & testing of the tools & tackles for flawless operation.
4. Keep emergency equipment and exits easily accessible: In case there is an emergency at the workplace, you shall need quick access to the exits. It is also advised to keep clear usage of equipment shutoffs which might stop you from performing an emergency.
5. Update Your Supervisor about the unsafe conditions: It is important that, you keep updating your supervisor about the hazards or risks that occur at the workplace. They should be legally obligated to ensure that their employees are working in a safe environment or not. And, in case, if the employees are not working in safe conditions, then it is the responsibility of the supervisor to listen and understand their condition and create a safe working environment for employees.
6. Use mechanical assistance: Whenever you want to carry or lift up some heavy material and or equipment then you should use a conveyor belt, crank, or forklift. There are a lot of risks involved, if you try to lift something which is heavier, it can affect your weighing capability and can lead to some muscle injuries. So, make sure that you make use of the appropriate tools to not harm yourself.
7. Stay Alert: There are many employees who usually compromise or ignore the alerts of advance warning and due to this, a number of workplace injuries or fatalities may occur. This shall be for the machines you an employee work with or an emergency alert.
8. Wear the right Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): It is essential that you wear the right protective equipment during your work to protect yourself from residual hazards at the workplace. And, the equipment can be in any form like earplugs, earmuffs, hard hats, gloves, full-face masks, safety gloves, and any other equipment which is required to wear while working. These tools shall prevent the employees from incidents that occur at the workplace.
9. Working / Seating in a proper posture: If have a sitting job, then it is essential to keep your posture correct while working at a desk. You need to keep your shoulders in line and straight back to avoid any spine problems. Try to ignore stooping and twisting regularly and if possible, then try to use the comfort-designed furniture and safety equipment, so that the desired things will be within your reach.
10. Treat the Workplace as a Holy place: Never ever enter your workplace under the influence of drugs/liquor etc which is also not permitted as per local regulations. Employees shall avoid getting into Horseplay and any other such type of activity in the workplace to avoid injury to themselves or co-workers.
Safety is the responsibility of the managers and the business owners to make sure that their employees are working in a safe environment or not. The duty of the employees is to support the efforts of the organisation in the implementation. The organization shall make sure that they keep on motivating and boosting the employee’s morale to make them active in the working process.
There shall be an appropriate discussion done about the work and the culture of the office at regular intervals so that the management remains aware that how they simplify things for the employee’s comfort. Also, to motivate the workers, management should provide rewards as an appreciation towards their work.
To conclude…the above Ten (10) Golden Rules if followed in true spirit shall make your workplace Safe and Secure for the employees to work.
Disclaimer: The above Golden Rules (preventive/administrative measures) suggested in this guidance note are based on the information, knowledge, and experience of the Author. It shall be the responsibility of the individual organization to verify its applicability in their respective facility depending on the nature of the industry, activity, and materials used.
The writer of the blog is Suresh Madhukar Sabnis, who has recently retired as Senior General Manager – Corporate EHS (Environment, Health, and Safety) from Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd in Mumbai. Suresh brings over 40 years of invaluable industrial experience to his writings. Throughout his career, Suresh has been involved in various sectors, including pharmaceuticals (Sun Pharma & Microlabs), bulk drugs (FDC, Cipla), chemicals and dyes (Jay Synth DyeChem), and pesticides (Syngenta India). As a qualified safety professional under the Factories Act 1948, Suresh has played a significant role in promoting and ensuring workplace safety. He has served as a faculty member on the Training Panel for Inspector of Factories & Boilers in Goa, sharing his expertise and training others in safety practices. Moreover, Suresh is an esteemed member of the Central Working Committee of the FSAI (Fire & Security Association of India), Goa Chapter, and the Environment Auditor Panel of the GSPCB (Goa State Pollution Control Board). Suresh’s dedication to safety and sustainability is evident through his lifelong memberships in esteemed organizations such as the National Safety Council of India, the Green Triangle Society in Goa, and the Institute of Industrial Safety Professionals of India in Mumbai.
For any inquiries or assistance, Suresh can be reached via mobile, WhatsApp, or email.
Mobile & WhatsApp: +91 98221 28662
Email: sabnis_suresh@yahoo.com
Really Commendable, Every industry should follow all golden rules which are suggested by sir as safety is our morally legally and socially responsibility.
No one will accept to return his loved one with injury and illness.
Thank you sir for your best guidance.
You will continue to guide us with your great experience in the same way.
feeling proud to be a part of your best supervision.
Regards,
Satendra Singh