Workplace Safety Resolutions

Each new year brings about new resolutions that range from the achievable to the downright absurd. Most resolutions tend to center around personal well-being, such as promising to spend more time at the gym to get fit and setting goals to achieve professionally. However, very few take the time to ponder on how to improve health and safety while in the workplace. If you find yourself belonging to the majority who don’t make resolutions concerning workplace safety, then why not make this year the time to start making them? 

After all, health and safety should always come first. By resolving to act on improving the health and safety in the workplace, it not only ensures personal safety, but also makes the environment safe and ideal for others as well. 

Here are some resolutions that focus on workplace safety for the New Year. 

Looking back on the past year

Blindly making resolutions for the New Year without considering the events that happened in the previous year will only result to half-baked goals. Review the accidents of the year that just ended. Has there been slips and falls due to workplace housekeeping issues? Were safety trainings sufficient throughout the year, or could this have been improved upon and thereby have prevented the accidents from occurring? Are workplace inspections being done regularly to ensure everything is in good working order? Use the happenings from the year before to create better resolutions regarding safety at the workplace. 

Ask Questions

Some tasks may be too dangerous, or too difficult for one single person to perform. When in doubt about the safety of a certain job, don’t be afraid to speak out. Asking questions opens the line of communication between the worker and the management, and may prompt the higher ups to modify safety rules and regulations should one task be found to put health or life at risk. 

Inspect personal safety equipment and gear

The holiday season preceding the New Year is a great time to check safety gear and equipment. Is the safety vest still properly fitted, or have the boots lost their non-skid ability? Do the safety glasses still allow clear vision, or does the helmet need replacement? Don’t skimp on this resolution, and ensure that all your safety equipment and gear are in tip-top shape before starting work on the New Year. Otherwise, it’s out with the old, and in with the new. 

Know who to call in an emergency

For any workplace safety-related concerns, knowing who to call or approach is as vital as knowing how to avoid hazardous situations. Emergency situations call for immediate action, so it’s best to find out beforehand who to turn to for those times when safety is compromised at work. 

While it is the legal obligation of the company or the employer to provide a safe working environment to its employees, there’s no harm in taking that added step to ensure personal safety at work. Simply becoming better informed about health and safety policies governing the workplace is a good start. Doing so could lead to a better 2022 that’s free from accidents and health hazards.