Preventing Industrial Accidents

If you are an employer or risk manager in the manufacturing, industrial, construction, or transportation industries, you may need Aftermath in the event of an accident. We are a national leader in biohazard remediation. Our services include the cleanup of industrial accidents and we are equipped to help prevent the spread of potential bloodborne pathogens. Rarely is someone on staff at a facility equipped to properly remove blood or other biological fluid, so we are ready to help when an accident occurs.

A large percentage of industrial accidents are preventable. It is important to continually install and reinforce precautionary measures that can save time, money, and — most importantly — lives. While it’s always smart to have a partner like Aftermath “on call,” a few simple procedures help ensure you’ll never need our services.

Redefining how managers measure success

If you are in a leadership position where workplace hazards are common, make your mantra: safety is success. Safety should always come first, even before efficiency. This is something that must be established early on. You should tell every employee from day one that safety protocol adherence is the primary measure of performance, and only after they show a dedication to safety will you implement other measures of success.

In addition to establishing safety as your primary focus, there are a number of other guidelines to follow that may prevent industrial accidents.

1. Be proactive

It is always better to install extra precautions than have to deal with an accident after the fact. Make sure everyone in the workplace completes safety training and regularly update procedures and precautions. This includes making lessons available to all. If one person makes a mistake or learns a new procedure, make it easy for people to share this valuable safety information. Create a message board near the break room so everyone is updated when new information is available.

2. Safety starts at the top

Business leaders must make safety a priority and set a good example. Employees are more likely to commit to safety procedures when they see commitment throughout the organization. When leaders are on the floor of a workplace or jobsite, they should follow the same procedures as their employees. Safety is a culture and culture is built and supported — not demanded.

3. Consider safety a sound business practice

A safe workplace is a more profitable workplace. Fewer hours are lost, insurance costs decrease, and fewer injury claims are filed. A safe workplace runs more efficiently and garners more employee loyalty, as people feel valued and appreciated enough to be protected. Safety is as important as employing the right people, profit margins, and inventory. It is a fundamental practice that predicts long-term success.

4. Eliminate risk

Workers and leaders in a dangerous environment should be encouraged to trust their judgment — and their gut. If a situation looks risky, it probably is. If an employee believes another is working too fast or acting recklessly, the offending individuals should be pulled aside for a discussion. This goes beyond people to include equipment. It should be okay for an employee to recommend a machine or tool be removed or replaced for service, even if it costs time in the short-term. As you proactively build a culture of safety, eliminating risk is a daily, minute-by-minute act of diligence.

5. Change with the times

Computer technology is ubiquitous. It’s in our hands, installed in our cars, and in the workplace. Workplaces should adapt to changing technology and use it to their advantage. If automation can help prevent injury, let it help. If a new technology requires additional resources, take the time to give employees the necessary training. Changing with the times is about adapting and getting better each day, fixing procedures as needed, and being the safest modern workplace possible.

Identifying the most vulnerable people on a job site

Often the people on a job site who are most vulnerable to injuries are young or inexperienced workers. Individuals get hurt when they are not familiar with procedures, equipment, machinery, or vehicles used for a job. If you work in a place where experience is a prerequisite for avoiding injury, be sure to pay attention to new employees around you, stress the importance of safety, and provide ample instruction. As we mentioned above, it’s always easier to stop and teach than to deal with an accident after it occurs.

If you need help organizing a safety plan for your job site or workplace, or if you come across a workplace that needs help, OSHA’s On-site Consultation Program offers free safety advice and planning services to small and medium-sized businesses across the country. When people’s lives are at stake, reaching out for help or a second opinion is wise.

Preventing industrial accidents is a daily responsibility

Building a safe culture to prevent industrial accidents requires an organization-wide commitment. Should an accident ever occur, Aftermath specializes in biohazard remediation. We can complete cleanups of any size, large or small, in a timely, effective manner so employees can get back to work and return to a safe environment.

Keep in mind, biohazard remediation is not a federally regulated industry. This makes it even more important to select a partner who abides by stringent, defined standards. Our 28-point checklist leads the industry in its thoroughness. If you ever need a partner to remedy a difficult situation, Aftermath is your answer.