Following workplace safety measures, especially in heavy industries, is essential to prevent accidents. This minimises the risk of injuries and ailments and keeps workers healthy, productive, and satisfied with their job roles and environment. By following vital industrial safety measures, you can also reduce legal liabilities, avoid penalties imposed by regulatory bodies, spend less on worker healthcare, and deal with fewer compensation claims.
Safety measures
Here are the key safety measures in industry to follow for a safer and more efficient workplace, stronger bottom line, and better brand reputation:
- Clean worksite: Ensure the work environment is always clean and organised to avoid common accidents and injuries like cuts, burns, sprains, slips, and falls. Sharp objects and hazardous chemicals must be carefully stored. Minimise dust and flying debris to prevent respiratory illnesses.
- Protective gear: Workers should always use personal protective equipment (PPE) like hard hats, gloves, safety goggles, earmuffs, vests, etc. to minimise the risk of accidents, injuries, disabilities and even death.
- Safety education and training: Educating workers about potential risks and prevention tips as well as training them to spot and report hazards accurately and promptly is one of the best safety measures. Encourage them to share inputs about the ground reality and teach them how to act in an emergency.
- Safe equipment usage: When it comes to industrial safety measures, providing extensive equipment training is mandatory for preventing common injuries and accidents. Also, procure machines only from reliable, reputed suppliers and conduct regular maintenance and prompt repairs whenever required.
- Careful lifting: While lifting is an integral part of most heavy industries, if not done correctly, it can cause severe injuries and even disabilities. Hence, workers must be trained to lift safely and their age and health status should be deciding factors when lifting chores are assigned.
- Risk management team: Set up a dedicated team to ensure workplace safety at every level. The team will constantly monitor and update safety protocols, reduce potential hazards, and investigate accidents and take measures to prevent them in the future. They will also craft an effective response system for emergencies.
Conclusion
Despite adopting the above safety measures, accidents and injuries can still occur at your worksite, leading to temporary total disablement, permanent (partial/total) disablement, or even the death of workers. Such situations require compensation under the Employee’s Compensation Act 1923. So, have a workmen compensation policy handy to financially protect your staff as well as your business. It will also ensure your legal compliance, prevent disputes and lawsuits, strengthen your stance as a responsible employer, and act as a livelihood-related safety net for affected workers and their families.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for educational and informational purposes only. It is advised to verify the currency and relevance of the data and information before taking any major steps. Please read the sales brochure / policy wordings carefully for detailed information about on risk factors, terms, conditions and exclusions. ICICI Lombard is not liable for any inaccuracies or consequences resulting from the use of this outdated information.