By Darwin F. Johnson on February 2nd, 2017 in Atlanta Workers Comp, injury prevention, Workers Compensation
Strong work safety laws are integral to the development of a successful workforce, and the assurance that all who enter it will be reasonably protected. If you think back on the workers’ safety laws of 150 years ago, it’s obvious that we’ve come a long, long way.
Today we have fire codes, rules and regulations, insurance and many other factors that play into protecting American and Georgian workers. But sometimes employers and insurance companies try to cut corners, and pretend that the rules do not apply to them.
If you find yourself in a situation like that, it’s time to call a workers’ compensation lawyer. Furthermore, the safer you stay at work, the less likely you’ll be to have an incident happen in the first place.
Follow these steps toward workplace safety to avoid injury!
While You’re On the Job
Use proper equipment: That means wearing the right protective gear, and clothing and accessories that fit properly. Use tools that are most appropriate to get the job done, and only use ones that you are qualified to handle.
Take breaks: Fatigue is dangerous and can lead to serious—even fatal—injuries. If you feel fatigued or overtired a lot while you’re working, taking appropriate breaks may be the difference between getting injured or not.
Lift things the right way: When it comes to heavy lifting, there is a right way and wrong way to go about it. You know the saying, “lift with your legs, not your back?” Well, it’s true! Always squat and use your legs as the source of muscle to lift a heavy object, and never rush moving something that’s dangerously heavy. Get help if you can’t lift something safely on your own.
While You’re Off the Job
Don’t Build Up Stress: One of the best things you can do to make your time at work all the easier to handle is to not go into your job stressed out. When you’re at home, think about whether or not you may be stressed, and if so, take the appropriate steps toward releasing it. Whether it’s meditation, deep breathing, taking up a hobby, or just relaxing, figure out what helps you release stress and actively pursue removing it.
Stay active: If your job involves a lot of physical labor, staying active and healthy means you’ll be better able to handle the physical pressure at work. Eating healthy and exercising will go a long way in helping you prevent injuries on the job!
As an Atlanta workers’ comp lawyer, I’m happy to help if you do become injured, but you’re better off avoiding injuries to begin with. Obviously, the above steps aren’t all you should do to maintain safety at work, but they’re a good starting point!
