Office safety

Slips, trips and falls are a significant cause of workplace injuries. Unsafe behaviors and conditions as well as the absence of safety alertness can lead to these types of injuries. One practice to consider is holding quick five- or 10-minute department talks or huddles periodically to discuss office safety wellness issues, to share relevant pointers and to incorporate team member suggestions.

By having a comprehensive safety plan and taking action to implement and enforce it, employers can proactively minimize preventable injuries. In addition, you can successfully defend against claims that occur as a direct result of an employee’s failure to follow the safety plan or rules.

A safety plan is a comprehensive tool that provides a framework for safety practices. The plan should clearly explain all safety protocols including housekeeping practices and be provided in writing. Each plan is targeted to a specific department or activity — meaning several safety plans may exist.

Poorly maintained flooring, wet and slippery steps, loose handrails or no truncated domes on approaches can be all that is needed to lead to injuries. Every office location is different which presents a different risk or threat profile; using signage, rugs or mats can go a long way to reducing hazards. One cost-effective solution is using ice alert signs that turn to a blue color when temperatures are below freezing. They are a great reminder regardless of geographic location.

Some credit unions have taken advantage of entrance floor mat systems that are engineered and built into the floor, trapping dirt and moisture below the surface of the mat system before they get beyond the entryway. Others have made efforts to place mats on floors during inclement weather and removed when not needed.

Hazards that the credit union can be held liable for can spread throughout the location. With regular inspections and consideration, harmful hazards can be mitigated, reducing the credit union’s liability.

Credit unions are encouraged to implement a periodic inspection plan of each facility to identify potential hazards due to unsafe conditions and unsafe practices. The facility manager should appoint an individual/s responsible for conducting a monthly inspection of the indoor and outdoor walking surfaces. Avoid limiting inspections to unsafe physical conditions and include observations of unsafe work methods and practices.

Inspections can be one of the best methods to demonstrate your commitment to employee safety. Regular inspections encourage employees to analyze their own immediate work areas and implement corrective action.

A key element in your safety program is the initial training of employees. It is critical for employees to understand your credit union’s safety program, policy and plan. Employees should be expected to practice the proper safety attitude and work procedures on a consistent basis. Employees should report all office safety incidents and near misses to their supervisor right away — preferably within the shift that they occur. Research shows that the sooner a claim is reported, the lower the cost of the claim and the sooner the employee returns to work.

The credit union’s assigned safety coordinator should investigate to determine the cause of the incident and determine whether the employee(s) involved were following established safety policies or government safety regulations. After completing the incident investigations, the next step is to report the findings and work with supervisors and employees to develop plans to prevent similar incidents.

Consider implementing corrective actions to eliminate recurrence of any incident:

• Document corrective actions.
• Identify target dates for completion.
• Assign responsibility for taking/completing corrective actions.
• Provide training to employees.