What is one workplace safety tip every employee should know?

To help employees ensure their own workplace safety, we asked HR managers and business owners this question for their best insights. From reviewing the emergency response plan to recognizing cumulative trauma disorders, there are several workplace safety tips that you should know to ensure your safety in the workplace.

Here are 11 workplace safety tips every employer should know:

• Read and Understand the Emergency Response Plan
• Sanitize and Use Tools and Equipment Properly
• Re-read the Rules Quarterly
• Identify Hazards
• Know Your Floor/office Safety Coordinator
• Know Where the Emergency Exits Are
• Be Aware of Fire Hazards
• Review the Company’s Workers’ Compensation Insurance Plan
• Report Hazardous Conditions
• Don’t Let Your Team Be Too Sedentary
• Recognize Cumulative Trauma Disorders

Read and Understand the Emergency Response Plan

Every single one of your employees should know your Emergency Response Plan front and back, and how to carry it out. Teach it, quiz them on it, and train them on it. It's one thing to know where all of the emergency exits or fire extinguishers are. It's another thing to make use of all that knowledge in an actual emergency situation, especially when guests lives' are at stake. Run practice emergency response scenarios with your employees to ensure they are prepared to handle a true emergency.

Gwen North, Lake Rabun Hotel

Sanitize and Use Tools and Equipment Properly

Every employee should know how to properly sanitize tools and equipment, regardless of their role. Dental instruments are used to probe patients' mouths, potentially transferring bacteria or viruses that can be passed on to staff or other patients. Tools need to be sterilized and disinfected to ensure that this does not happen. Familiarizing every employee with infection control protocols can help keep everyone safe.

Henry Babichenko, European Denture Center

Re-read the Rules Quarterly

Updates to procedures happen often, so employees should be reviewing the rules and safety signs once a quarter at least. When handling dangerous equipment and heavy tools, holding routine work training is vital for the overall safety of everyone. It is necessary to review often.

Olivia Young, Conscious Items

Identify Hazards

One tip for employees to stay safe on the job is to always be aware of their surroundings and be mindful of potential hazards. Additionally, employees should always follow safety protocols and use safety equipment when necessary.

Matthew Ramirez, Paraphrasing Tool

Know Your Floor/office Safety Coordinator

Many companies will have someone specifically designated as a safety coordinator. Some have one for the entire facility, others may have one coordinator per floor. Though this is less relevant post-pandemic, it's still important to know who to contact in the event of an emergency. Safety coordinators often have important training, know where there are crucial supplies, and understand corporate plans for various emergency situations. Know who your contact is so you can help respond as quickly as possible to any issues.

Logan Mallory, Motivosity

Know Where the Emergency Exits Are

Employees should always know where the emergency exits are in the office. No one can predict a fire or a tragic outcome, but workers need to be aware of how they can safely and quickly leave the building. Leaders should ensure that team members have knowledge of the current emergency process that includes emergency exits. In doing so, the business has their employee's best and safest interests in mind.

Dino Ha, Kaja Cosmetics

Be Aware of Fire Hazards

Employees should be aware of fire hazards in the office. Something as simple as a toaster in the work kitchen can cause havoc at work. Companies need to conduct monthly fire drills and ensure the fire extinguishers are updated as necessary, in addition to knowing where the exits are in the building. To lower the risk level and create a happy workplace, this is necessary for a safe work environment.

Corey Ashton Walters, Here

Review the Company’s Workers’ Compensation Insurance Plan

If you are a remote employee or travel for business, be sure to review your company’s workers’ compensation insurance plan to see if it covers you according to OSHA guidelines. While the lines can become blurry as to what can be claimed as an at-work incident in the remote workplace, keeping a record of the performance expectations by your employer and project tasks can help claims professionals make their final decision. An injury or illness in the remote work setting can have a huge impact if you are not aware of the worker’s compensation insurance you are entitled to.

Adam Shlomi, SoFlo Tutors

Report Hazardous Conditions

If you see something that looks like it could pose a hazard, whether it be a loose piece of equipment or someone using machinery incorrectly, it’s best that you report it to a manager or a supervisor on duty. Companies are obligated to provide a safe working environment under OSHA laws. Because of this, unsafe conditions must be reported immediately so that it can be made safe for everyone.

Adrian Pereira, Eco Pea Co.

Don’t Let Your Team Be Too Sedentary

Sitting doesn’t require much energy - and that is potentially harmful to people if they aren’t conscientious enough about the amount of time they spend sitting still. Research shows that a sedentary lifestyle leads to various health concerns, including obesity. It can take a toll on a person’s mental health, too. Workplaces should encourage people to take breaks - and not just the type of breaks that involve food. Encourage people to walk more. Allow them some time in the day to hit the gym, or go for a run, or even a walk through the park across the street. The encouragement of an active lifestyle leads to a lot of benefits.

Patrick Samy, Span

Recognize Cumulative Trauma Disorders

Cumulative Trauma Disorders (CTD) are rampant workplace injuries that tend to get overlooked. Tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and back injuries can happen from repeated motions made all while sitting at a desk. For that reason, employees should ensure they are being provided with proper ergonomic equipment that supports good posture and with regular breaks to stand and stretch.

Michael Williamson, Hoist