How can you reduce workplace injuries and illnesses?

1 Identify hazards

The first step to reduce workplace injuries and illnesses is to identify the potential hazards that workers may face in their tasks, equipment, materials, and environment. Hazards can be physical, chemical, biological, ergonomic, or psychological. For example, workers may be exposed to noise, heat, electricity, chemicals, viruses, heavy lifting, stress, or violence. To identify hazards, you can conduct inspections, surveys, audits, interviews, or observations. You can also consult with workers, managers, customers, or experts.

2 Eliminate or control hazards

The next step is to eliminate or control the hazards that you have identified. Elimination means removing the hazard completely from the workplace. For example, you can replace a dangerous substance with a safer one, or redesign a process to avoid a risky step. Control means reducing the exposure or impact of the hazard. For example, you can install guards, barriers, alarms, or ventilation systems, or provide personal protective equipment (PPE), such as gloves, masks, goggles, or helmets.

3 Train and educate workers

Another important strategy is to train and educate workers on how to prevent and respond to workplace injuries and illnesses. Training and education should cover the hazards, the controls, the policies, the procedures, and the rights and responsibilities of workers and employers. Training and education should be relevant, practical, engaging, and ongoing. For example, you can use demonstrations, simulations, quizzes, or feedback sessions to reinforce learning.

4 Communicate and consult

Communication and consultation are essential for creating a culture of safety and health in the workplace. Communication means sharing information, feedback, and updates on workplace injuries and illnesses and how to prevent them. Communication should be clear, timely, and accessible. For example, you can use posters, newsletters, meetings, or intranet to communicate safety and health messages. Consultation means involving workers, managers, customers, and other stakeholders in the decision-making and problem-solving process. Consultation should be respectful, collaborative, and constructive. For example, you can form safety and health committees, conduct surveys, or hold focus groups to consult with stakeholders.

5 Monitor and evaluate

The final strategy is to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of your efforts to reduce workplace injuries and illnesses. Monitoring means collecting and analyzing data on the frequency, severity, and causes of workplace injuries and illnesses and the implementation and compliance of the controls. Monitoring should be regular, systematic, and accurate. For example, you can use records, reports, audits, or indicators to monitor safety and health performance. Evaluation means assessing and improving the outcomes and impacts of your efforts. Evaluation should be objective, transparent, and actionable. For example, you can use feedback, reviews, or benchmarks to evaluate safety and health improvement.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?