Maintaining a safe working
environment is the
responsibility of employees and
employers alike. While
managers and employers need
to be responsible for preventing
safety hazards and complying
with federal and state
guidelines, workers also need to
make sure they follow proper
safety procedures and take care
not to endanger themselves and
their coworkers.
OSHA and other government bodies publish safety guidelines for the many different types of
industries and workplaces, and it is the responsibility of site managers to make sure that their
worksites are compliant. Managers and owners should routinely check to make sure their
businesses are compliant with current safety regulations, and take steps to fix any lapses.
For employees, it is their responsibility
to make sure that they follow safety
guidelines and do not create unsafe
situations. These steps include:
• Using proper lifting techniques to
prevent injury
• Following safety instructions while
operating machinery
• Wearing the appropriate work safety
clothing for the job they are
performing
Another key part of work safety is creating a culture where
employees feel comfortable reporting potential safety problems,
and where workers and managers alike take potential issues
seriously. Finding and fixing potential hazards is a shared
responsibility, and can only be done properly when people feel like
they can speak up.
For worksites that use potentially
dangerous tools and machinery,
providing employees with proper
training is very important.
Employees who operate machinery
should be given thorough training
and supervised carefully. Equipment
and machinery should also be kept
fully functional and repaired, with
defective or outdated tools taken
out of circulation.
Another part of good workplace safety is making sure that rules and guidelines are clear and
understood by everyone. Operational guidelines for machinery should be posted in a place
where they can be seen and read, and company policy on all safety issues should be clear and
made available to all.
Worksites should also have a clear
response plan to accidents and disasters
that require evacuation or other
emergency response. Evacuation drills
should be practiced regularly enough that
employees are familiar with safety plans,
and shelters and emergency exits should
be clearly marked.
One of the most important parts of work safety is making sure everyone has the right
equipment and clothing to keep them safe on the job. Different conditions require
different kinds of protective gear, and dress code/workwear requirements should take
into account the conditions for each position.
Prudential Overall Supply is the
leading supplier of work uniforms
and protective gear. Prudential is
committed to fostering work
safety in all industries by
providing the best products
available. Learn more at
www.prudentialuniforms.com.