As careful as everyone tries to be, accidents can happen at work—especially if workplace safety takes a back seat in priority. Instead of reacting to injuries in the workplace, the best thing employers can do is prevent injuries before they happen. Here’s what you need to know about injury and illness prevention at your workplace.

Are employers responsible for all workplace injuries?

All employers are legally responsible for taking reasonable precautions to prevent workplace injuries and diseases. This can be done in several ways, including thorough health & safety training during onboarding of new staff, providing appropriate personal protective equipment, keeping machinery or tools in safe working condition, informing all employees of any potentially hazardous areas, and finally, by complying with any established safety standards for your industry.

Are there penalties if employers don’t comply or are negligent?

Taking care of your employees is an essential part of being an employer, and it’s imperative to make sure you are aware of the legislation you need to follow and the actions you need to take.

If you are found in violation of the Occupational Health and Safety Act, you could be fined up to $1.5 million for a corporation. Additionally, as a company, employee accusations are not the only concern; if a Ministry of Labour inspector finds violations, the company may be fined accordingly.  Of course, neglecting health and safety is also sure to increase the number of injuries you experience, which results in increased WCB premiums.

How can you prevent accidents from happening?

The following are a few easy tips that any employer can use to help prevent injuries and keep their employees safe:

Education

Ensuring that everyone in the workplace knows how to use the tools and equipment required to do their job will go a long way to prevent injuries. In addition, ensuring that employees have proper training and that instructions are clear will help prevent errors that can lead to injuries.

Keep the floors and walkways clean

Many workplace injuries result from tripping over obstacles on the floor and in common walkway areas or slipping due to wet floors and spills.

When items fall on the floor or there is a spill, they should be cleared away as quickly as possible. If the floor cannot be cleaned immediately, items like pylons or wet floor signs should be posted to alert employees of the potential hazard.

Protective gear

Sometimes employees feel like they don’t have to use all the protective equipment their employer supplies to complete their job. However, if the industry standards say they should wear it, it’s important to make sure your employees follow these guidelines.

And while protective gear might not necessarily prevent an accident from happening, it can significantly reduce the severity of any resulting injury.

By following the recommended safety procedures for your industry and implementing rules to ensure everyone stays safe, employers can avoid violations and fines and remain operational.

Contact TeksMed today

At TeksMed, we believe that preventing injuries is the most important thing you can do for your employees. However, when injuries do happen, we are here to help you with our disability management planning and return to work programs. Contact us today to learn how we can help your business.