For most employees who live out their workdays within office space’s comfort, safety is not usually a prioritized concern. The confides of office spaces are significantly safe, granted employers meet general health and safety requirements. However, there are specific industries in which employees are exposed to notable danger daily.
Hig-risk work environments are required by law to meet stringent health and safety policies that aim to protect employees, although employers can do a lot more to keep their employees safe and protected from harm while on the job. When considering that workplace injury claims can significantly set back a businesses financial status and have a lasting negative impact on an employee’s livelihood, employers should consider additional safety solutions. Other safety solutions such as occupational health and safety, remote medical assistance, and health and safety training employees are a great place to start. So, if your business is operating in one of the following high-risk industries, you should take extra measures to protect your business by putting your employees first.
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Construction
The construction industry is well-known for being a hazardous work environment. Employees are often required to work with dangerous materials and function at dangerously high altitudes. As a result, a job in construction is not for the faint of heart. Slips and falls are quite common in the construction work environment, and employers are required by law to take extra measures to ensure the environment is safe enough for their teams. In the United States of America, more than half of all work-related injuries are directly linked to the construction industry.
While the industry has taken specific steps to address this concern, employers should go above and beyond to avoid legal complications while also focusing on protecting employees. You can outsource your businesses health and safety needs, have your employees assessed by remote medical services regularly, make use of clinic services, and enforce the use of higher quality safety gear.
Mining
While the mining industry has made dramatic changes ever since the industrial revolution, the sector remains a top-ranked high-risk industry to work in. Even though miners no longer work in the appalling conditions that they once did, the environment is still not as safe as a dangerous job. While we can expect further developments in the mining sector to shed more light on the perilous industry and make lasting improvements, employers should focus on increasing health and safety as an ongoing priority.
Employers are required to implement various health and safety protocols, although employers can still do more to protect these skilled professionals. As a result, employers could heighten safety gear and reduce work hours as inhalation of dust and debris frequently will degrade health dramatically.
Healthcare Providers
An emphasis has recently been placed on how hazardous the healthcare industry is. Unfortunately, the covid19 viral outbreak’s impacts highlighted the fact that healthcare workers are our only frontline defence against infectious disease. However, this also means that healthcare workers are the most exposed and at risk in such situations.
The covid19 outbreak is not the only concern for healthcare industry professionals as strenuous long hours impact health, rendering burnout a genuine health concern. Employers can better care for their expert professionals by reducing work hours and providing enhanced healthcare. Improving protective gear is another measure that can assist workers in the healthcare industry.
Manufacturing
Manufacturing is another high-risk industry to work in as employees function in a dangerous environment. Slips and falls are quite common, while other traumatic injuries have also been recorded in this employment sector. Because large machinery and various processes are used in the manufacturing industry to create products, employees are prone to injuries.
Heightening protective gear and fine-tuning manufacturing processes is essential for employers in this sector. In addition to this, regular machinery maintenance is also necessary. At the same time, employees should be provided with ongoing health and safety training to ensure that avoidable accidents are not a constant concern.
Prioritizing The Health And Safety Of Your Employees
Mining, manufacturing, healthcare, and construction are not the only high-risk industries out there. Even if you are running a business that functions only from an office space, health and safety should still be a top priority. Your employees are at the core of your businesses functions, which is why you should prioritize their needs above all else. Avoiding costly lawsuits is just one of the most notable reasons to prioritize health and safety, as a case that concludes an employer was negligent could result in a payout and media scene that could ultimately have your business shut its doors.
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