Steps to Prevent and Reduce Workplace Accidents

1. Safety Program
Train employees on safety on an ongoing basis including new employee orientation, emergency preparedness along with safety training pertaining to their specific job requirements.

2. Display OSHA Posters
Place the posters where they are easily seen and can be referenced by your employees.

3. Record Accidents
Record all workplace fatalities and report any serious accidents (5 or more employees hospitalized) to a Federal/State OSHA Office within 48 hours of the fatality or serious accident

4. Notify Employees of Emergency Procedures
This information should be in employee manuals and company handbooks. All emergency phone numbers should be displayed prominently.

5. Proper Orientation of New Employees
This is the first step in preventing accidents and maintaining a safe workplace. Let the new employee know that safety is the main focus at your workplace.

6. Hazard Recognition / Reporting of Injury
Remind them that any injury must be reported without penalty and treated immediately, along with any unsafe conditions and potential hazards.

7. Management's Commitment
Stress your management's commitment to accident and injury prevention. Constantly remind supervisors to maintain safe and productive work operations.

8. Employee Participation
Employee's commitment and participation is needed to prevent accidents. Make it known that employees should not undertake a task without the proper training. Encourage employee suggestions to reduce potential safety violations.

9. Accident / Injury Prevention
Maintain a clean and healthful working environment. Reduce worker stress, exposure to hazardous substances, vision/hearing impairment, repetitive motion injuries and ergonomic injuries with proper protective equipment (PPE).

10. Safety Policy
Develop a safety policy including statements on safety, lists of prohibited conduct, consequences of committing prohibited acts along with how to report accidents, seek medical attention, etc.

11. Field Inspections
Conduct field inspections to monitor safety compliance.


A few OSHA Rights and Requirements

Employer Requirements
1. To maintain complete and accurate records concerning injuries and illnesses occurring on the job or as a result of conditions at the plant site
2. To consciously prepare and display an annual summary of workplace injuries and illnesses from February 1 to March 1

Worker Rights
Workers are allowed:
1. To refuse to perform work in a hazardous environment (toxic substances, fumes or radioactive materials)
2. To strike to protest unsafe conditions
3. To initiate an OSHA inspection of dangerous working conditions by filing a safety complaint
4. To participate in OSHA inspections, pre-hearing conference and review inspection hearings
5. To petition that employers provide adequate emergency exits, environmental control devices (ventilation, noise elimination devices, radiation detection tags, signs and personal protective equipment) and the ready availability of medical personnel
6. To request time off with pay to seek medical treatment during working hours
7. To request eating facilities in areas which have not been exposed to toxic substances
8. To request investigations when they are punished for asserting their rights

Workplace Accident Plan ( Just In Case )

Planning ahead can help you identify the risks and hazards involved in your specific workplace and prepare for or avoid them altogether. Nobody intentionally has a workplace accident, but they can happen.
Having a specific plan in place helps employees to avoid accidents or to handle them calmly and efficiently if they do occur.

1. Have a Safety Committee
-Regularly monitor employees
-Recommend safety training for employees
-Identify potential risks, hazards or unsafe conditions in the workplace
-Have employees report unsafe conditions to safety committee

2. Have Emergency Medical Supplies On Hand
-Basic First Aid
-Advanced emergency supplies (depending on your workplace hazards)
-All employees should be trained how to use the emergency equipment and supplies
-CPR Training for some or all employees
-Employees should be aware of emergency contact in case of emergency or accident

3. Respond Quickly
-If the emergency warrants it, call 9-1-1
-If not an immediate emergency, employee injured should seek medical attention ASAP
-Do not move the injured victim until medical help arrives
-For electrical burns, DO NOT apply ice, ointment or adhesive bandage
-For chemical burns, remove any clothing/jewelry that came into contact with chemical and wash away the chemical
-For fire, smother the fire and remove any burned clothes; cover burns with clean, dry cloth
-Answer any questions about what happened when medical help arrives

4. Collect the Facts
-Document any information about the scene to determine the cause of the accident
-Interview all witnesses immediately
-Take note of any evidence at the scene
-Keep people away from any potential dangerous equipment

5. Get Legal Advice
-Consult an attorney who specializes in workplace injury and illnesses
-They can make sure your rights are protected

Check out these First Aid, Accident Investigation and Emergency Preparedness Safety Videos offered by Wumbus Corporation.