TERM PAPER ON

WORK PLACE SAFETY MEASURES

BY

UHIARA CATHERINE CHINYENE

21/MSC/12050

SUBMITTED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF NURSING SCIENCE

FACULTY OF HEALTH SCIENCE IMO STATE
UNIVERSITY, OWERRI

IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF

ENVIRONMENTAL/OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH NSC 733

LECTURER

REV. SR. EZENWUBA

JULY 2023
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction 1

Concept of workplace 3

Safety Measures in the Work Place 4

Safety Precautions 6

Benefits of safe and healthy work environment 7

Implication of safety measures to nursing 10

Conclusion 12

References 13
Introduction

Safety measure is a measure taken to increase or ensure safety or protection

from danger (Collins English Dictionary). Safetyy rules exist in all work

environments to keep both employees and the company safe. These

regulations can help prevent and mitigate accidents and minimize risk,

which in turn support employee well-being and workplace effectiveness.

Learning why safety rules are in place and how to follow them can protect

you and your coworkers from injuries that may happen at work.

Safety measures in the workplace are important because they protect

employees, customers and the company's brand reputation. Enforcing safety

rules can reduce on-the-job accidents and injuries and maximize

productivity. Limiting risks can improve the work environment and job

satisfaction of employees. Companies also benefit from a safe workplace

because employees are more productive and customers may view the brand

more positively (Gemet, 2021).

OBJECTIVES

To define the term concept of workplace

To discuss safety measures in the work place

To discuss safety precautions

To discuss benefits of safe and healthy work environment

Operational Definition of Terms

Workplace A workplace or place of employment is a location where people

perform tasks, jobs and projects for their employer.

Safety Measure: An action , procedure or contrivance designed to lower the

occurrence or risk of injury, loss and danger to persons, property or the

environment.
Concept of workplace

Cambridge academic dictionary defined a work place as a place where

people do their jobs. (Definition of workplace from the Cambridge

Academic Content Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

Any place that is not a domestic residence which is made available to any

person for the purposes of work. (Lexis, 2023).

Parts of property and access to workplaces are considered part of the

workplace. The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992,

SI 1992/3004 require that floors and traffic routes are kept clear of

obstructions and that it is adequately maintained.

Safety Measures in the Work Place

According to Shah, (2023) safety measures in the work place include:

Follow the dress code. It is important to dress according to the workplace

dress code. This may prohibit jewellery or open-toe shoes, for example.

Often a workplace may require employees to wear specific footwear and

long sleeves and pants in order to protect against common workplace

accidents. Dress codes can promote professionalism and also help keep

employees safe.
Wear safety gear. Safety gear is necessary in labs, around machinery and

on construction sites, for example. Companies include safety gear in the

dress code when it is necessary for your job. Safety gear is a precaution

against hazardous materials and potentially dangerous working conditions.

Maintain personal hygiene. Maintain your personal hygiene, such as

cleanliness, to help prevent illness at work. Good hygiene can also help

promote health and self-esteem, which reduces risks.

Take responsibility for your personal safety. To take responsibility for

your personal safety means ensuring that you follow safety procedures. If

employees rely on themselves to keep the workplace safe, this can create a

safe environment for all. Responsibility also prevents negligence, which can

limit on-the-job accidents.

Maintain a clean workspace. It is important to keep your desk or other

personal workspaces clean. Be sure to put away supplies when they are not

in use. Gathering necessary materials before starting a task can help keep a

clean workspace. Maintaining your work area promotes organization and

attentiveness, both aspects of promoting safety in the workplace.

Follow work procedures. A company creates work procedures to help

comply with safety protocols and best practices, so if you follow work

procedures, safety standards are likely met. It is important to follow

procedures even if you think performing a task differently might save time.

Often there'll be an employee handbook or safety station where the company

provides their work procedures.

Learn how to act in an emergency. Learn emergency protocols including

where to go in case of a fire or during a natural disaster such as a tornado.

Much like work procedures, companies design emergency protocols with

strong consideration for safety regulations. Knowing where to go or how to

behave during an emergency protects you as well as your coworkers.

Report accidents if they occur. Report accidents to the managers or other

personnel when they occur. If you injure yourself or cause an accident, be

sure to report it and follow procedure immediately to help reduce the risks of

further harm or endangering co-workers. This helps to get proper treatment

for your injury and addresses the possible causes of the incident to prevent it

from happening again. It is important to follow company policy and report

even minor incidents. Your employer may require a written report of the

incident as well.

Report unsafe conditions. If you observe an unsafe practice or condition

such as faulty equipment, it is helpful to report this so that personnel can

address the situation and make corrections to prevent an incident. Unsafe

conditions pose a threat to your co-workers and to you, so reporting a

potentially dangerous situation is in the best interest of all employees.

Consider marking any unsafe condition to protect others who may encounter

it while you go to report it.

Lift objects carefully. Professionals advise lifting by squatting and using

your knees when picking items up instead of bending at your waist because

this can cause strain on your back and may result in injury. Use equipment if

necessary or ask for help in lifting heavy items. Back pain is a common

workplace injury that you can avoid with prope

Operate machinery that you are familiar with. Only operate machinery

that employers authorize you to use. Some types of workplace equipment,

such as forklifts, require training. Training can prevent misuse and provide

proper safety knowledge and skill for machines. It is important to become

familiar with all equipment that is in regular use at work.

Use break times. Taking breaks can maximize employee attentiveness

because they are well-rested. Breaks provide other benefits, such as time to

relax and reduce stress. During breaks, you may need to sit or stretch to

maintain personal safety and prevent muscle injury.

Stay in your work zone. While working, try to stay in your designated

work area. This allows you to be familiar with your surroundings and

increases the likelihood that you understand the rules of conduct in the area.
If you visit another working area, try to find a professional who can help you

navigate the area so you are confident in your surroundings.

Stay alert and attentive. Being alert and attentive to your surroundings in a

work environment helps identify risks. It is important to limit distractions as

well and ensure you focus on tasks at work. Taking care to be mentally

present while working helps you actively follow procedures and practice

caution.

Keep exits clear. Try to keep walkways clear and take care not to block

exits. This prevents falls and helps people leave the room or building safely

and quickly in the event of an emergency. In small spaces keeping walkways

clear can be difficult but it may be useful to practice a walk-through to

ensure that employees can maneuver safely around equipment.

Ask for help. If you require assistance, ask for help. This greatly reduces the

risk of having an accident and helps foster a safe work environment by

setting an example. Refer to company protocol when performing tasks or

operating equipment, and if protocol suggests doing a task with another

employee, do not attempt the task alone.

Use caution signs. Use caution signs when applicable. For example, wet

floor signs prevent slips on a floor after you mop or after a spill. Areas at

work may require barriers or signs when equipment such as forklifts are in
use. Another example is road signs to notify drivers of workers or highway

cleanup crews. It is important to place caution signs while working and read

and obey caution signs placed by others.

Use proper equipment. Use the equipment a procedure recommends to help

prevent an accident. Companies usually provide equipment to limit strain on

employees and to comply with safety regulations. It is also important to

learn how to operate any equipment that is available before using it for

work.

Eat in designated areas. Employers sometimes restrict food and drink to

specific areas at work to prevent spills, contamination and unsafe conditions.

Having liquids around machines risks spills that can cause malfunctions, and

eating where you work can cause contamination and possibly result in

illness. If your workplace requests employees eat in a certain place or restrict

food and drinks in a work environment, it is important to observe this rule.

Follow safety guides. Follow all safety guides put in place to protect you

and your co-workers. Companies design safety rules to prevent incidents.

Sometimes rules result from a previous accident which is why it is important

to report your injuries as well as unsafe conditions. If you do not understand

why a safety rule exists, you can ask your employer for clarification.

Safety Precautions
Your safety is your personal responsibility.

Always follow the correct procedures.

Never take shortcuts.

Take responsibility and clean up if you made a mess.

Clean and organize your workspace.

Ensure a clear and easy route to emergency exits and equipment.

Be alert and awake on the job.

Be attentive at all times to your work surroundings.

When in doubt, contact your supervisor or manager for instruction,

guidance, or training.

Never take risks when it comes to safety.

Obey safety signs, stickers, and tags.

Take short breaks when you keep up a repetitive motion for a long period of

time, and sit, stand, or walk with good posture.

Report serious injuries immediately to a supervisor and get emergency

assistance.

Keep things in perspective. Hazards may be limitless, so focus on the most

likely risks first. Strained backs and sliced fingers may be more popular in

your workspace than would the risk of flooding (as in a basement office) or

the risk of wild animals cutting loose.

Safety measures are joint effort. Educate everyone in the workplace about

the safety requirements and consider posting a list of workplace safety tips.

A workplace safety training will help them reduce or eliminate injuries and

illnesses from occurring in the workplace. Always keep the communication

lines open with your co-workers, employers, or employees in order to

promote and maintain a safe environment. Immediately notify others of any

(new or old) hazards that you perceive. Be alert to hazards that could affect

anyone— not just yourself; in this respect, maintain a team mentality at all

times. Report a hazardous condition immediately to your manager or

supervisor. Be conscious as to what others are doing around you, and do

your best to ensure you don’t pose a hazard to them (and vice versa).

If you’re an employer, invite and involve your employees in safety planning;

obtain their insight, give and take suggestions, and ensure that everyone is

on the same page.

Benefits of safe and healthy work environment

The safer the work environment, the more productive it is. Productive

employees are an asset to all companies. For instance, productive employees

can produce more output in less time, reducing operational costs.

Workplace safety promotes the wellness of employees and employers alike.

Better safety equates to better health. Healthier employees do tasks more

efficiently, and they are happier in general.

There are very few accidents in a safe working environment. This results in

less downtime for safety investigations and reduces costs for worker’s

compensation. This also reduces the time needed for employees to heal from

injuries.

Damage to industrial equipment creates costs for replacement and repair.

Avoiding workplace injuries and damage to industrial equipment will incur

fewer expenses and increase profit.

If employers are concerned about the safety of their employees, the

employees are more confident and comfortable in general. Also, absenteeism

rates drop, and employees are more focused on doing their tasks.

A work environment free from injuries and accidents attracts employees.

Employees are more satisfied and productive in such an environment.

A safe work environment is essential for both employees and employers

alike. It is the right of all employees to have safety in the workplace.

Workplace safety is essential regardless of the size of a company. All

companies, big or small, need to incorporate safety in their workplaces.

Well-implemented safety measures keep employees safe and also protect

industrial equipment. It is the responsibility and duty of employers to protect

their employees and keep them safe.

The safer the work environment, the more productive it is. Productive

employees are an asset to all companies. For instance, productive employees

can produce more output in less time, reducing operational costs.

Workplace safety promotes the wellness of employees and employers alike.

Better safety equates to better health. Healthier employees do tasks more

efficiently, and they are happier in general.

There are very few accidents in a safe working environment. This results in

less downtime for safety investigations and reduces costs for worker’s

compensation. This also reduces the time needed for employees to heal from

injuries.

Damage to industrial equipment creates costs for replacement and repair.

Avoiding workplace injuries and damage to industrial equipment will incur

fewer expenses and increase profit

Implication of safety measures to nursing

Safety is a fundamental concern of all nurses. From bedside to the

community, nurses see to it that accidents and injuries are prevented.

The following are the therapeutic nursing interventions for patients at risk

for injury: guide the patient to their surroundings, enhance safety through the

use of medical alarm systems, avoid the use of physical and chemical

restraints and utilize alternatives to restraints.

Conclusion

A safe work environment is a feature of good companies throughout the

world. All employees want assurance of their safety and protection.

Workplace safety is a critical issue. Employers should ensure that their

employees are working in a safe environment. Management systems and

business owners are responsible for promoting workplace safety. Employers

should encourage employees to adopt safe practices and use safety

equipment. They should encourage safety policies and safety programs.

Also, employees should be aware of the risks of operating hazardous

machinery.
References

Collins English dictionary, HarperCollins publishers.

Gemet, (2021). Do the Health Benefits of Cycling Outweigh the Risks?".

environmental health perspectives. 118 (8): 1109–1116.

Lexis, (2023). Safety versus Security in Fire Protection Planning Archived

2012-03-13 at the Wayback Machine, The American Institute of
Architects: Knowledge Communities, May 2009. Retrieved on June
22, 2011.

Shah, (2023). Risk and Safety". In David R. Henderson (ed.). Concise

Encyclopedia of Economics (2nd ed.). Indianapolis: Library of
Economics and Liberty.