Handling Workplace Injuries
Accidents are inevitable at workplaces, and this affects the both the employees who are usually directly involved in the accidents and the employers who cover the medical bills after such incidences. Taking precautions can be a way of significantly reducing such risks and so employers are obliged to take steps that can assist in reducing accidents and enhancing the safety of the employees.
First, it is imperative to have an immediate response to an accident to avoid exposing the accident victim to a more complicated risk of delayed medical attention. This is because some injuries and wounds can seem minor but maybe there might be even internal injuries. Even the minor injuries may worsen with time if they are left unattended. As you wait the doctors to arrive, it is important to conduct first aid on the victim such as applying pressure and cleaning wounds, keeping the individual in a good state or as otherwise advised by 911 personnel. No practice should be done on the person if you are inexperienced or otherwise instructed so. When the employee has received required attention, the immediate next of kin should be contacted to give them information on the incident. This can either be done by the employer or the employee if he or she is In a good condition to communicate effectively.
Secondly, proper documentation and record keeping is required. Without this, companies have problems with OSHA investigations. Forms such as OSHA 300 should be the first to be filled whereby information of the past six business days happenings put into the record, the 301 form depicting all the information of the incident which is full before seven working days and form 300A showing annual incidences at the workplace. All of the mentioned information is reviewed between Feb 1st and April 30th to confirm on compliances to the standards. Sometimes all this paperwork can be tedious and cumbersome, so employers can opt to use Occupational Injury and Illness software to manage this kind of work related accident information. This software gives a broad range of advantages since tracking and reproducing of reports can be achieved when needed and also helps in limiting penalties associated with incidences of complete forms, can be used in showing trends in work-related injury occurrences.
Finally, it is paramount to consider putting prevention measures and programs in place. There is a broad range of practices that will ensure and enhance the safety of all the employees in the workplace. Capitalizing on the available technology is one of the ways to go in improving the security of employees at the workplace. There is need of putting in place automated alerts which can have an option of reception via email or phone messages. Another major thing to consider is the installation of the latest in facility developments. The following is the statistics from Bureau of Labor Statistics 2013 in the UK according to HSE.
229,190 – Cases of people involved in falls, slips, and trips
327,060 – cases of individuals involved in sprains, strains, and tears
170,450 – cases of people with back related injuries
Proper men Finance of smooth floors can be a significant step towards limiting the incidences of slip and fall accidents. This can be achieved by carpeting the floors or using appropriate commercial grade floor mats that can alleviate the effects of rains puddles adjacent to doors and also reduce the dangers associated with smooth floors due to weather. Umbrella stands can also be in place to capture water droplets that could otherwise cause danger to the employees and avoid slipping. All first aid and emergency kits should be made available. They should contain all the necessities such as cleansers, Bandages, medicines, painkillers, etc. the utilization of signage is very significant. For example in cases where there are spillages, wet floors, slippery floors, etc. if there is any area in the workplace that prevents access to of only trained personnel, the area should be well labeled to avoid the risks that may be involved if he other employees access such areas.
The effects of workplace injuries are not only felt by the employees but also can lead to incidences of desertion which is usually unscheduled, and this causes an increment in operational costs to the employers were temporary replacements are essential for the normal daily operations in the absence of the employee. To enhance the morale of employees after such incidences, activities such as programs aimed at educating the employees the HSE recommends that they can be of use in such instances. It is also necessary to give certificates to the employees of completion.
