What Employers Need To Know

Workplace accidents are on the rise, although there are stringent rules in place to prevent them from happening. Preventing workplace accidents is in the hands of the employers. Although the law doesn't expect the employers to eliminate all the risks of accidents, they are required to take reasonable steps to minimise them.

If you are an employer, given below are some things that you need to know in order to prevent workplace accidents. When steps are taken to prevent work accidents, they don't only benefit the employees, but the employers as well. For the employers, they reduce the chances of work accident claims being made against them.

Risk Assessments

Most of the workplace accidents take place because the employer was not aware of the risks present. This usually happens when inadequate thought is given to the workplace. In order to prevent work accidents, employers must conduct risk assessments on a regular basis. The purpose of risk assessments is to help identify potential risks and hazards which could cause an accident. Isn't it true that once the problem is identified, it is easy to look for a solution?

The same thing applies in the workplace. Once the risk of injury or accident is identified, adequate measures and precautions can be taken to minimise them. In addition, the employer must review whether the staff has been provided with adequate and necessary equipment to carry out their tasks safely. This could include clothing, heating, seating, etc.

Document Procedures

If a work accident claim is made against the company, then the employer must be able to demonstrate that adequate inspection procedures were in place. For example, in order to deal with spillages, the employer must have a detailed outline of how the clean up must be carried out. Moreover, the employer must ensure that every worker is aware of what needs to be done in case of a spillage and that adequate warning signs are placed to prevent slips.

Document Training

As an employer, you must provide your workers with adequate training. To document training, you must get the workers to sign that they have received workplace health and safety training and also the date on which it was given. If training is repeated at regular intervals, then it must be documented on each occasion. No matter what tasks the employees are required to perform, they must be given suitable training.