At all companies, regardless of specific role or responsibility, safety is everyone’s job.
With OSHA reporting over 4,500 fatal workplace injuries every year, safety is critical in all facets of the workplace.
See something that doesn’t seem right? Follow these steps if you notice unsafe working conditions for yourself or your peers.
Document Safety Issues
Before and during reporting, workers should document exactly what’s wrong with equipment or the work environment that causes the concern. If it’s something on a machine, take pictures and document what has happened. If it is some concern about airborne hazards or some other kind of atmospheric problem, document any respiratory issues that people had, or other evidence that has popped up. This documentation will come in handy during the reporting process.
Put in a Report – and Watch Closely
Most workers at most jobs will first want to address a report to their immediate supervisor at work, or, if applicable, to a point person who’s been designated as a safety official. In some other cases, it may be necessary to kick a report up the chain to get answers.
The next step is to watch and observe and make sure that a report gets followed up on. Some companies will respond to these initial reports on their own, and some will need additional follow-up.
Get Help from Others
Quite a few companies can be less responsive than they should be when it comes to safety issues. That’s where it can help to get other people on board.
Instead of going it alone, talk to your colleagues and see if anyone else has noticed a particular safety issue. When reporting, there’s strength in numbers. Having multiple people on board is likely to make more of an impression with top managers whose first inclination may not be to address a problem. It makes the issue seem more widely noticed and acknowledged.
Research the Problem
As you’re waiting for the company’s eventual response, it can be a good idea to do additional research on the safety issue in question. Doing in-depth research will help show you whether the safety concern is an emergency or not. It may help determine the next step of the problem, or help reporting people to recognize whether or not it’s a severe or significant concern, or something more minor.
About Full Steam Staffing
Full Steam Staffing is a full-service employment agency in Lacey, Washington focused on providing clerical and light industrial staffing solutions to manufacturers, distribution centers and other organizations that need qualified, reliable workers. If you are looking for a new job in Lacey, Washington, browse our available opportunities or contact our team today!