Workplace Safety Rules You May Be Overlooking

Disregarding workplace safety comes at a high cost. In 2023 alone, nonfatal work injuries and illnesses cost the U.S. around $176.5 billion in medical costs, lost productivity, and administrative and other expenses.

Failure to comply with federal laws (OSHA), state laws (HIOSH), and industry‐specific regulations can result in fines, shutdowns, lawsuits, or worse. In addition to financial repercussions, workplaces known for unsafe conditions lose trust from workers and customers.

The truth is that many workplace injuries are preventable. Here are some safety rules and practices that both employees and employers commonly overlook.

Overexertion

Overexertion from lifting, pushing, pulling, carrying, or repetitive motions is consistently the number one cause of nonfatal workplace injuries and accounts for the largest share of workers’ compensation costs.

General housekeeping

Slips, trips, and falls are often the result of poor housekeeping practices and are another top contributor of workplace injuries. This includes leaving walkways blocked, cords running across the floor, and spills that are not cleaned immediately.

Electrical safety

Electrical safety hazards arise from issues including using damaged extension cords, overloading outlets, daisy-chaining power strips, missing or broken face plates on outlets, and blocking access to circuit breakers.

Chemical handling

Common risks include not properly labeling, handling or storing chemicals. Workplaces are required to have a Safety Data Sheet Binder that provides essential information about hazardous chemicals, safe handling guidelines, and emergency procedures. Safety Data Sheet Binders must be readily accessible to employees.

Machine safeguarding

Common safety risks include unsecured machines, missing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), lack of signage, inadequate training, and skipped equipment inspections.

Emergency preparedness

Not training for emergencies like fire drills, severe weather, workplace violence and active shooter scenarios can leave workplaces unprepared. Workplaces should have illuminated exit signs, clearly mark fire extinguishers that are inspected frequently, and inform employees of evacuation areas.

Employees should also be prepared for medical emergencies. This includes CPR training and knowing how to use AEDs and where to locate them.

What can employers do?

Being aware of the common causes of workplace accidents is a great first step towards prevention. Don’t wait until something goes wrong to act. Here are some ways businesses can safeguard their employees:

• Train new and existing employees
• Perform frequent worksite and machine inspections
• Implement good housekeeping practices
• Provide Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
• Encourage a culture where near-misses and accidents are seen as learning opportunities, not complaints

If all this seems like a lot, don’t worry, you don’t have to do it alone. At simplicityHR by ALTRES, we help Hawai‘i employers create the safest workplaces possible. We offer clients a variety of extensive in-person and virtual trainings, certifications, and site assessments to create safer, healthier work environments. Our team also handles administrative tasks such as injury accident reporting, TDI, workers’ comp claims, and annual OSHA logs. To learn more about our risk & safety services visit simplicityhr.com/risk.