I have put together my top 5 workplace safety issues in 2023 so far.
Our working life has changed so much in the last 3 years, and we are dealing with some different issues compared to say 5 years ago. So, I thought I would highlight my top 5 for you. I am hoping this will allow you some thoughts on how you are currently managing these within your business. As always if you need any assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact me for support.
1 - Too much Stress
Stress affects workers in every industry, including leisure, entertainment, manufacturing, healthcare, and logistics. Long days and evenings including weekends combined with an increased workload, financial pressures, and job instability all add up to tired, frazzled employees.
Not only can stress lower productivity, it can also put workers at risk for physical and mental illness including anxiety, depression, and even suicide.
2 - Poor ergonomics
Ergonomics is the science of designing the working environment to fit the worker. Without proper ergonomics, tasks like lifting heavy objects, reaching overhead, performing repetitive tasks, or even working at a computer with bad lighting can lead to fatigue and musculoskeletal injuries. In fact, musculoskeletal disorders account for about a third of worker injury and illness cases.
3 - Slips, trips & falls
4 - Working alone
Working alone is common in many industries, from truck drivers to night shift factory workers, home health care nurses, and even business travellers. Keeping lone workers safe presents a number of challenges.
Working alone can increase the risk of injury, especially when performing dangerous tasks. If a lone worker is injured, there’s no one around to call for help or provide emergency medical attention. And without other workers present, there’s no telling how long it will take for someone to notice there’s a problem.
5 - Temporary workers
There are thousands of temporary workers. Too often, these workers perform dangerous jobs without adequate training on safety practices or job-specific hazards. A study found that temporary workers are more likely to get hurt on the job than permanent employees.
