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How to avoid accidents at work in 2018 – Top 10 Tips from Swindon Accident Solicitors

As the New Year kicks in and everybody gets back into the work routine after the holidays, we should all take the time to reflect on our daily practices in the workplace and to consider what we can do to avoid accidents in 2018.

As Swindon’s leading specialist in accident claims, Swindon Accident Solicitors have helped people who have suffered a huge range of workplace accidents, but whatever the nature of the accident the vast majority have one thing in common – they could have been avoided with the right precautions in place.

With that undeniable fact in mind, here are our top ten tips for avoiding workplace accidents.

1. Keep Workplaces Clean

Most people don't think of cleanliness as an accident deterrent but a dirty or cluttered work area makes it more difficult to move around efficiently and safely. Precautions can be as simple as running computer cables properly so that they don’t create a tripping hazard. Regardless of whether your work environment is a factory, warehouse or an office cubicle, keeping the area clean and well maintained reduces the chance of accidents.

2. Carry out regular Risk Assessments

Look out for hazards like poor lighting, uneven floors and trailing cables. Decide who might be harmed and how, especially older people or the disabled. Consider  the risks, note any potential problems and do something about them. Record your findings and review the assessment regularly.

3. Health & Safety Signage

Employers should post signs reminding employees of proper safety procedures in noticeable places and in spaces where those specific procedures should be practised.

4. Ensure Vehicle Maintenance is up to date

For employers that provide staff with company vehicles to complete daily tasks, it's imperative that cars are well maintained and serviced on a regular basis. This may seem obvious but the bill for accidents resulting from unperformed vehicle maintenance runs into tens of millions per year. 

5. Report Dangers and Accidents

Most employees know that they should report an actual accident but it's important that employers encourage their staff to bring any potential danger to management’s attention, as well.

6. Insist Upon Proper Training

Proper training is especially important if you do a job that may present a number of risks. Imagine an untrained person doing the job of a fireman? Doing this will not only expose you to a great danger but will expose other people to danger as well.

7. Wear Required Safety Gear

Many jobs require uniforms, but a person who works in a factory or a farm has a greater chance of being involved in an accident at work, so he or she should be especially vigilant about the wearing of proper uniforms and other protective garments.

8. Pay attention to Emergency Drills.

Workers tend to take safety drills for granted and often go through the motions carelessly. However, participation in such drills is vital as they are conducted for the purpose of teaching employees what to do in the event of an emergency.

9. Avoid Shortcuts

Accidents often happen because people take short cuts when they’re familiar with their job or are in a hurry. For example, a worker may climb without a safety harness because they only want to complete one small task and gearing up is time consuming.

10. Always Be Alert.

There is a reason why many workers insist upon that morning coffee. Being awake and alert isn’t just important in order to complete tasks adequately, it also helps to keep both you and your work colleagues out of harm’s way.

Good practice when it comes to health and safety will lead to a significant reduction in the number of workplace accidents , but if you are the victim of a workplace accident that was not your fault, you may be able to make a claim. 

For free legal advice about making a no win, no fee claim, please contact Cristina Steel or Robert Millbourn on 01793 425 595.