The significance of workplace safety: A review

 

Martin Sanders has written quite a number of articles and blogs on workplace safety, simply because there is arguably nothing more important when it comes to the workplace. Following safety protocols should not only be mandatory; it should also be a priority. 

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Decades ago, workplace safety was not really given the importance it deserved. However, today, businesses and management teams have become more aware to the many risks and hazards their offices and workplaces present. Building safety inspections have become stricter, laying down more requirements than ever before.

Nowadays, the existence of health hazards in a workplace can have more than just accidents as a consequence. It can be damaging to the reputation of a company. It can lead to lowered or even lack of productivity. It can negatively affect workplace moral. It can have legal repercussions, too. In fact, not fixing any safety issue in the workplace can now be considered a criminal act, and even more so, when an employee gets hurt, injured, or worse because of it. 

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Martin Sanders explains that while workplace safety primarily affects people’s lives, the absence of it will reach way beyond employee hospital bills. As such, it is for the best of everyone involved, and this includes the business owners and their clients, that companies put workplace safety above all.

Capt. Martin Sanders, Ph.D., has years of experience in the field of occupational safety and health. He recently obtained a certification as a Certified Safety Professional (CSP) awarded by the Board of Certified Safety Professionals. For similar reads, visit this page.

Disclaimer: This site was prepared by Martin L. Sanders in his personal capacity. The opinions expressed are the author's own and do not reflect the views of the USPHS, the Department of Health and Human Services, or the United States government.

Tips to protect your eyes at work

Eye-related injuries in the workplace aren’t a rare occurrence.  According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), around 2,000 U.S. workers every day sustain job-related eye injuries that require medical attention.  Safety experts, however, believe that 90 percent of these injuries can be lessened in severity or entirely prevented with proper eye protection.  Here are some tips to consider.

Know eye hazards at work

Every company should identify eye hazards and properly communicate them to workers.  Look for safety measures in place and observe them at all times while at work.  Complete an eye hazard assessment, too.


Identify the red flags

Increasing the risk of eye injury in the workplace includes the lack of eye protection, workers not wearing eye protection even if it’s available, insufficient knowledge of properly operating tools and equipment, and work involving the use of metal.  Seek to address and discuss these concerns with management.


Select the right type of eye protection

Safety glasses, while they resemble regular dress eyewear, have lenses and frames that are much stronger than regular eyeglasses.  They protect against dust, chips, or flying particles when one is working.  Goggles shield against dust, impact, and chemical splash, while face shields and helmets protect those exposed to chemicals, heat, or blood-borne pathogens.


Apply proper first aid or seek medical attention

Seek medical help as soon as possible after an injury, especially if there’s eye pain, blurred vision, or vision loss.  Apply proper first aid for chemicals or particles in the eye, as well as for bows or cuts and punctures.

Captain Martin Sanders is an officer in the Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) where the Surgeon General had appointed him as Chief Scientist. He has had nearly two decades of service in the field of occupational safety and health. For more articles like this, visit this page.