Pablo Luna
Getting hurt at work is a pretty big deal. After all, you’re injured, but you also have to deal with the paperwork and effort it takes to make a claim through your employer and get your medical care taken care of. It is a good idea to take measures to prevent injuries in the workplace. Here are some things you can do to protect yourself on the job.
Be Alert
Whether you work in an office building or on a construction site, there are hazards to be found. Maybe someone spilled water in the break room and didn’t clean it up, posing the risk of a fall. Or perhaps someone wasn’t fully trained in using a certain piece of equipment and you pay the price. Whether big or small, be alert and aware of the risks of injury in your workplace is one of the best ways to prevent getting hurt.
Know the Risks
Many companies offer long term disability insurance but you still take your own due care and attention. If you’re not aware of what risks you face at work, make it a priority to find out. Some places post such risks while others might not. If you wonder about what injuries you may at risk of incurring on the job, ask your supervisor or the human resources department so that you can take measures to prevent injury. Simply knowing what potential injuries can occur puts you in the right frame of mind to protect yourself anytime you’re in your workplace.
Follow Safety Programs
Most workplaces have safety systems and protocols in place that you should be following. Failure to adhere to these guidelines puts you at risk of getting hurt but may also exempt you from certain financial assistance for your injury. If your place of employment doesn’t have a clearly posted safety program and the steps that go with it, be sure you ask your supervisor where it can be found and if it can be posted somewhere easy to refer to when needed.
Dress Appropriately
If you work in a place with slick floors, it makes sense to wear appropriate footwear to keep you from slipping and falling down. If you work outdoors when the weather gets very cold or very hot, wearing the right clothes is important for keeping you safe from injury. Likewise, if you work around heavy machinery. If you’re unsure what clothes and shoes you should be wearing to work, talk to your supervisor or refer to your personnel handbook for more information regarding what’s safe to wear to work and what isn’t.
Obey Posted Signs
If there are signs in your workplace telling you to do certain things, such as leaving specific doors locked or disposing of certain items in designated places only, be sure you are obeying them to the letter. Failing to do so puts you at risk, but also the other people you work with and might impact how much money and disability coverage you get if you do get hurt.
