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This article was published on August 9th, 2023
Compliance with Health and Safety regulations is essential for all organisations in ensuring workplace safety for everyone. This is particularly true for industries that utilise heavy machinery and equipment. For example, the construction industry sees approximately 59,000 non-fatal workplace injuries annually.
While all employers have a duty of care to provide a safe working environment, as an employee, you must be aware of your own responsibilities to ensure workplace safety. Our dedicated team of personal injury lawyers at Thorneycroft Solicitors understands the impact workplace accidents have, so we’ve explored some of the best practices that you can adopt to ensure your safety at work.
Workplace injuries that occur in relation to heavy machinery and equipment can be severe, and in some cases, fatal. This means that understanding the different types of injuries that can occur can be especially useful when implementing health and safety best practice, so we’ve noted some of the most common below for you:
In industries that utilise heavy equipment and machinery, there is lots that can be done to reduce the risk for not only yourself, but also to your colleagues. Carrying out the best practices we’ve noted below could help in avoiding and reducing workplace injury, so let’s dive in…
Attending training provided by your employer might seem obvious, but it is a crucial first step in ensuring your safety at work. This training might be based on safety awareness, emergency response and fire safety, or training that is specific to your job and the tasks it entails. It may also include training and authorisation to use machinery and equipment, and it is crucial that you follow the safety instructions provided and use the equipment for its intended purpose.
Some employers will have specific tool box talks and these which are very basic but also invaluable ways to refresh and update your knowledge or equipment or processes even if you are already familiar with them. There is always something new to learn or relearn!
As an employee, you must take reasonable care to ensure your safety in the working environment, taking active care of not only your health and safety, but those around you. Guidelines and procedures will have been provided to you by your employer, and you must follow them diligently and adhere to standard procedures. Avoid taking shortcuts in your work, as these can compromise your safety.
When working with heavy equipment and machinery, it is essential that you use PPE. Wearing PPE correctly and ensuring that it is maintained and up to standards is a critical part in your protection, and it is also good practice to avoid wearing jewellery or loose clothing which could get caught in the machinery. PPE includes but is not limited to safety goggles, hard hats, gloves, ear protection, and face shields.
As an employee, it is your responsibility to speak up and let your employers know of any unsafe conditions, potential hazards or near misses. Proactively reporting these to your employer will help you both in making reasonable adjustments to the working environment as necessary, which is instrumental in:
In the ongoing process of ensuring workplace safety, everyone should be open to feedback and suggestions to improve. Open two way communication, feedback and continuous appraisal and re-appraisal of risk is crucial in preventing injuries and promoting workplace safety.
If you are seeking compensation after receiving a workplace injury, Thorneycroft Solicitors is here to help. With over 30 years of experience, our team of personal injury lawyers provides thorough advice and support in all aspects of the process to ensure you get the compensation you deserve. To speak to one of our specialist solicitors, call us on 0800 1979 345 or fill out our simple online enquiry form, and we’ll be sure to be in touch.