Workplace Safety Tips for the Front-line Team--Because Robots and Pallet Jacks Can't Move Everything
“OSHA has confirmed that for every dollar spent on an effective safety program, an employer can expect up to six times return on investment.” (weeklysafety.com)
At the Hand Truck Company, LLC, we see essential workers having difficulty moving products or other items every day, potentially injuring themselves or damaging their loads. Whether you or your team are moving equipment, products, furniture, appliances, barrels, or kegs, employee safety should be the number one concern. Moreover,a safe working environment can lead to higher profits and happier and healthier team members.
Team members are like robots in one way—they can physically break down at the most unexpected times. Strains, sprains, and back injuries often occur when moving products or heavy items. Illnesses (especially during these pandemic days) can pop up at any time. While businesses have to make a profit, too many do it at the expense of the front-line workers. It is the responsibility of company leaders to prepare for the potential injuries and illnesses that will occur. On-going safety training will reduce those occurrences.
The three leading causes of work-related injuries treated in an emergency department are: contact with objects and equipment, over exertion and bodily reaction, falls, slips, and trips without a fall. (cdc.gov/niosh/injury/fastfacts.html) Furthermore, “every day, more than 9,000 workers suffer a serious, job-related injury. Workplace injuries impact both employees and employers. Injured employees face potential physical, emotional and financial harm. Employers face the direct costs of workplace injuries—medical care related to the accident and some portion of an injured employee’s pay—and the indirect costs, including hiring temporary employees, lost productivity, and quality disruptions.” (Liberty Mutual Workplace Safety Index, 2017)
Fortunately, at a time when technology tracks just about every human move, there are still those companies who genuine care about their humans. Strong, profitable companies take care of their team members with ongoing safety training, weekly safety meetings, and providing the right ergonomic equipment.
The cost of NOT having training and regular safety meetings and emphasis on daily safety can have an immense impact on a business, not to mention on the morale of your team.
A safety program will result in cost savings in a variety of areas, such as lowering workers compensation costs and medical expenses, avoiding OSHA penalties, and reducing costs to train replacement employees, and conduct accident investigations. (weeklysafety.com)
So, protect those essential workers and remember, they’re not robots!
