Workplace Accident is 80% avoidable if the right controls are being put in place.
However, accidents are still occurring in our workplaces which makes this article very important. Since the consequence of accident could be so dreading, we should do everything in our power to prevent it. This is only achievable if we follow safe work practices, like following precautions in the material safety data sheet, identifying hazards and risks, ensuring safe system of work, getting involve in accident investigation, workplace audit, etc.
What is a Workplace Accident
Workplace accident which is also known as occupational accident. It is an unforeseen, unwanted and negative event that could occur in the workplace which could result in injury, or dead.
Wikipedia defines workplace accident as:
A work accident, workplace accident, occupational accident, or accident at work is a “discrete occurrence in the course of work” leading to physical or mental occupational injury.
Examples of Workplace Accidents are:
- Trips and falls
- Overexertion
- Auto accidents
- Repetitive strain injuries
- Workplace violence
- Electrocution
- Lifting
- Toxic exposure
- Falling from heights
- Struck against
- Fire and explosions
- Repetitive strain injury
- Spinal cord injuries
- Vehicle collisions
- Brain injuries
- Contact with equipment
- Entanglement
- Falling hazards
- Falls
- Fatigue
- Forceful exertions
It is important that workplace accident be reported and investigated, so in the next paragraph we will discuss reasons we should report and investigate accidents at work.
Accident at Work Report
It is important to report and investigate accident at work various reasons:
- Identifying Hazards and Risks:
- Preventing Recurrence
- Employee Well-being and Support:
- Promotes Safety Culture:
- Encourage Continuous Improvement:
- Insurance and Cost Management:
Inadequate or delayed incident reporting can have a negative impact on an organization’s ability to file insurance claims and effectively manage costs. Insurance companies demand detailed incident reports when making claims, and poor or delayed reporting can cause complications or deny coverage. Additionally, timely incident reporting allows organizations to monitor the impact of incidents on their bottom line by tracking related costs, such as medical bills, property damage, and lost productivity.
In summary, reporting and investigating a workplace accident is very important, for both legal and moral reasons.
How to Prevent Workplace Accident
To prevent accident at work, we can follow this plan:
- Hazard identification and assessment: Hazard identification and assessment are essential components of risk management, particularly in fields such as workplace safety, environmental protection, and public health. These processes help organizations and individuals recognize potential dangers, assess the risks associated with those hazards, and take appropriate measures to mitigate or control them.
- Hazard prevention and control: Effective hazard prevention and control measures require a proactive approach, continuous monitoring, and a commitment to the well-being of employees and the environment. Additionally, it’s important to involve employees in the process, as they often have valuable insights into workplace hazards and can contribute to developing effective control strategies.
- Education and training: Education and training for accident prevention are critical components of promoting safety in various environments, whether at home, in the workplace, on the road, or in recreational activities. Education and training for accident prevention play a crucial role in reducing injuries and fatalities. Such efforts should be tailored to specific environments and continually updated to address evolving risks and hazards.
- Program evaluation and improvement: Program evaluation and improvement help assess the effectiveness and efficiency of programs, identify areas for improvement, and make data-driven decisions to enhance outcomes. It essential for ensuring that resources are used efficiently, goals are met, and the program continues to evolve to meet the changing needs of its beneficiaries and stakeholders. It’s an iterative process that fosters continuous growth and effectiveness.
Though we do all these to prevent accident in our workplaces, we should should know the actions to take if accident occur in our workplace or we get involve in accident. Here are some information you should have:
Unbelievable Videos of Accidents at Work