Whether you work from home or on campus, the biggest part of your safety on the job is up to you! Taking your role seriously in preventing accidents and using good ergonomics will help you avoid most issues that result in painful and time-consuming injuries. Paying attention to the basics of personal job safety is fundamental to a healthy and secure workplace for all.
Keeping your attention on the task at hand and avoiding distractions puts focus on what you are responsible for in your work. Stay aware of your situation and use the tools that are available to you for assistance, especially when lifting or moving heavy objects or reaching for items on a high shelf. If you notice an unsafe condition, be sure to communicate it to your supervisor so that it can be properly corrected before anyone gets hurt.
Setting up for sound ergonomics both at your workplace or when working remotely, will help prevent musculoskeletal injuries from repetitive motion or poor posture leading to chronic problems. Keeping your desk and chair, computer keyboard, mouse and monitor, as well as other tools you regularly use for your job in harmony with your body makes all the difference in how you feel at the end of the workday and for many days to come.
During the day, stretching periodically and getting up out of your chair at regular intervals will help you limber up your whole body.
Slips, trips and falls are among the most frequently encountered workplace accidents and are also among the most avoidable. Good housekeeping is great safety! Eliminating clutter, keeping floors clear of obstructions, cords and cables, and immediately wiping up spills makes it less likely anyone will take an unexpected trip to the emergency department.
A new Safety Shorts video entitled “Safety 101 Crash Course” is available for viewing on our web site. There is no cost to access this quick and entertaining animated feature through the links in this article.
“Safety 101 Crash Course” covers just the basics everyone needs to know and use. Employees will likely need much more comprehensive training, instruction in your workplace and work-from-home policies and procedures, and specific training for the occupational requirements and hazards of each individual’s duties. This Safety Shorts video is a great start to a healthy, productive work environment!