How to Stay Safe at Work

Americans spend a majority of their lives working in environments that are, unfortunately, not danger-proof—and your workplace is no different. If you’re wondering how to stay safe at work, Mayor Law, LLC is here to help. No matter what your employment situation is, these safety tips for work are something that everyone should keep in mind.

Mayor Law Workplace Safety

Know Your Surroundings

It’s important to familiarize yourself with your work environment and its unique potential hazards. Whether you work in an office space or spend most of your time outdoors at a construction site, it’s always a good idea to assess the risks of any type of situation before something bad happens. If this seems like a glass half-empty type of approach, that’s because it is. But such a mindset prepares you for whatever work-related incident comes your way.

The next time you have a moment to spare while you’re on the job, take the time to acknowledge some situations that could potentially happen. Start thinking about “what if” scenarios, such as:

  • What if there is a fire?
  • What if there is a natural disaster?
  • What if there is a harmful intruder?

If you’re like most people, you don’t particularly enjoy thinking about these unfortunate situations. Though these thoughts can be difficult to fathom, they’re still very real possibilities—and addressing them before it’s too late will help you stay safe at work.

Once you’ve explored some possibilities of unfortunate events occurring in the workplace, you can determine what you would do if that situation actually happened. Take some time to iron out the details it’s helpful to have some plans in place so that you can spend less time thinking about what you would do in the moment.

You can also take tangible measures. For example, it never hurts to have an emergency kit at your office desk or in the back of your car. Being “too prepared” is never a bad idea; after all, you never know when you’ll need a flash light, First Aid kit, and any extra supplies, such as water, food, or batteries.

Mayor Law Good Housekeeping

Exercise Good Housekeeping

Being neat and organized has benefits that reach far beyond aesthetics. Not only does a clean space help ease anxiety, it also promotes a safer work environment. Large amounts of clutter can make it very difficult to move from one space to the next, especially in small offices. Additionally, you want to make sure that nothing is blocking exits, sprinkler heads, or windows. Such obstructions can make a bad situation worse. Disorganization and messiness can also attribute to employee slips, trips, and falls.

Take Care of Yourself

It’s imperative that you stay healthy—and not just for your own sake! The healthier you are, the safer you’ll be. That’s why it’s important to take care of both your body and your mind.  To stay healthy (and safe) at work, at home, and everywhere in between, consider the following:

  • Manage Your Stress – Stress has become a leading epidemic that stretches far beyond Portland, Oregon. Americans everywhere are experiencing daily demands that are causing wear and tear on their minds and bodies. But finding a way to cope with life’s stressors will help you find balance and inner peace. Meditating, exercising, and journaling are all effective ways to manage stress and decompress at the end of the day.
  • Proper Nutrition ­– “You are what you eat.” You’ve probably heard this a lot, and that’s because it’s absolutely true. There’s no denying that when you eat better, you feel better. Regularly feeding your body heavily processed and overly sweetened foods will negatively affect the way you handle day-to-day activities. When you consume nutrient-dense food, you’re giving your body the fuel it needs to battle all of life’s many challenges.
  • Get Moving ­– Without exercise, you feel sluggish, your mind is foggy, and you’re generally less energized, motivated, and happy. Exercising releases endorphins, which are the hormones that promote happiness. Exercising is also a great way to clear your mind and strengthen your immune system.
  • Get Your Shut Eye – Sleep should never go overlooked, as it’s crucial to your wellbeing.  A restful night’s sleep allows your body to repair itself. With all that we know about sleep and how essential it is, rest is seldom taken seriously. But without it, you set yourself up for failure from the moment you wake up. So, make sleep a priority, so you can  feel and do your best.

Mayor Law Get Educated

Get Educated

Knowledge is power. As an employee, it’s always a good idea to learn about the laws and regulations as they pertain to your employment in general and the specifics surrounding your particular industry. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) provides everything you need to know about the ins and outs of workplace rules and regulations. This government organization aims to keep American employees safe at work, and their resources will help you spot hazards within your work environment, so you can then report them and hopefully prevent an injury.

Say Something

As one of the best safety tips for work, speaking up is also one of the easiest ways to keep you and your co-workers safe. People may not feel compelled to report a hazard to their supervisors because they don’t think it’s their place to do so. But it’s always a good idea to err on the side of caution when it comes to safety. If something doesn’t seem safe, immediately report it to your supervisor.

 

If you were injured at work and need excellent and thorough legal counsel, schedule a complementary consultation with workplace and construction accident attorney Travis Mayor. Contact Mayor Law, LLC for determined legal representation today.