Job Safety Checklist

Staying safe on the job can prevent you from missing work, suffering life-altering injuries and having to deal with worker compensation claims---not to mention, keeping you in good standing with the boss. Avoiding injury on the job isn't always possible, but by following a sensible list of job safety habits you will minimize your risk and hopefully stay injury-free throughout your career.

Follow The Rules

• Safety and caution signs are not posted for mere decoration. These signs were put in place to notify workers or customers of potential safety hazards. As an employee of a company, pay attention to what these signs say and follow them consistently throughout your workday.

  If a caution sign indicates a wet floor due to a spill, then be extra careful in crossing that area or else avoid it altogether, if possible. If a sign in the restroom reminds you to wash your hands each time before you leave, then simply wash your hands to avoid spreading germs to co-workers or guests.

Recognize Potential Hazards

• Learn to keep your eyes peeled for potential hazards in the workplace. You may be the first person to notice the broken edge on the counter that has resulted in a sharp piece of metal jutting out from the corner. If someone runs into the corner, it could cause a serious puncture wound. Notify someone immediately about the safety hazard and spread the word to others until it gets fixed.

No Horseplay

• If you or anyone else is regularly involved in horseplay, then someone is very likely to wind up getting hurt because of it. It sounds like a rule from elementary school, but the same actions carry over into a working environment full of adults from time to time.

Emergency Procedures In Place

• If an emergency happens at your job, it is important that everyone knows what to do. If there is a fire, an earthquake, an approaching tornado, someone has a heart attack or some other dangerous or life-threatening situation arises, there should be a plan in place.

  Checking to be sure that your company has such a plan is a good first step in improving job safety. If you are not familiar with the plan, then you should learn the plan as quickly as possible and possibly let management know that you were not aware of the plan until now. This may encourage them to implement some emergency preparedness awareness programs.

Good Housekeeping

• Clean up after yourself and others. Keeping debris off the floor and garbage in its proper place will go a long way is preventing trips, slips and falls. It also promotes a healthy environment to work in.

Proper Equipment In Place

• There are some safety hazard issues that cannot be solved without proper equipment. Find out if your workplace has what it needs.

  A fire can happen anywhere, so make sure you have extinguishers and everyone knows where they are located and how to use them. Fire codes in your area likely require this by law anyway.

  All places of business should also have a first aid kit for treating common minor injuries. Knowing what is in it and what needs to be replaced is also important.

  Work safety also relies on equipment worn by employees. Make sure people have access to items such as hardhats, gloves, safety goggles or other protective devices when needed.