2021: A Health & Safety Review

By Gavin Scarr Hall, Director of Health & Safety at Peninsula

It’s been another strange and uncertain year, and with the spread of COVID, maintaining high health & safety standards have arguably never been so important

So as 2021 draws to an end, we will reflect on the top five reported health & safety issues of the year – and explain how to avoid these in 2022.

Trips, slips, and falls

Reports of this nature account for one third of all personal injuries in the workplace, and with employees suffering head, back and neck injuries, broken bones, cuts, sprains and pulled muscles, they’re a top cause of all workers’ compensation claims.

The most common reasons for falls in the workplace come down to wet surfaces caused by spills or bad weather, poor lighting, uneven flooring, and uncovered cables – all of which could be avoided if extra precautions are taken.

Another big risk for many at work is falling while working at height; falls from ladders are most common but falls from scaffolding and other platforms can also be very dangerous, and even fatal.

There are three key ways to prevent these types of workplace accidents: good housekeeping, quality walking surfaces and proper footwear. Beyond that, employees?should be encouraged to report areas where clutter, obstruction, spillage or damage have occurred.?

Being struck by falling objects or caught in moving machinery

The long and horrifying list of machinery-related injuries includes crushed hands and arms, severed fingers, blindness, and even death.

Machinery that’s not properly guarded is an area of serious non-compliance. When body parts get caught in or struck by exposed moving parts or flying objects from machines without protective guards, the results are oftentimes disastrous.

The best way to prevent mechanical hazards is to remember that any machine part, function, or process that may cause injury must be safeguarded, and proper operator training as well as protective clothing must always be provided.

Plenty of workers find themselves on the receiving end of falling objects – and what’s more, this isn’t just a problem in warehouse-type environments. Objects which fall from shelves or out of cupboards can cause some nasty injuries. Providing adequate storage cages and reminding employees of how to store items safely can go a long way to reducing this risk.

Vehicle-related accidents

Where there are vehicles of any kind, there’s the potential for accidents.

These include being struck or run over by a moving vehicle,?falling?from a vehicle, being struck by objects falling from a vehicle and getting crushed by or stuck under an overturned vehicle.

It’s therefore up to employers to ensure that seatbelts and other safety precautions are in place and in use.

Avoiding these types of accidents begins with assessing who’s at risk, as well as where and when these accidents most commonly occur.

Focus on workplace design, ensuring all layout routes always segregate pedestrians and vehicles, and make any obstructions clearly visible. Directions, speed limit and priority signs are also helpful.

Fire

Fires in the workplace are frequently caused by risk factors such as: improperly stored combustible materials or open flames, arson, and faulty electrical equipment. ?

The resulting injuries incurred include damage to the respiratory system, varying degrees of burns and even potential disfigurement.

A Fire Risk Assessment FRA is a legally required assessment of the risks to the business from fire.

Musculoskeletal disorders and issues relating to handling, lifting, or carrying

These can be the most costly workplace injuries, leading to loss of productivity and long-term absence. But what’s the best way to avoid this?

You’ve heard it a million times, lift with your knees, not your back.?And seek the assistance of a co-worker or lifting device when the load is heavy.

Short breaks to rest or stretch are required for those doing repetitive work as it can result in wear and tear on the body and strained muscles and tendons.

The key to helping prevent these injuries is ergonomics. Ergonomics is the science of adjusting the job to fit the body’s needs and provides injury prevention solutions that are simple and relatively inexpensive.

To best protect employees and help prevent injuries for a safe and prosperous year for your business in 2022, take a holistic approach to workplace safety. This means ensuring your employees have the proper protective equipment, adequate training to perform their jobs, and making sure the practice and process is compliant with health and safety regulations.