Improving the Safety at Work

Safety at work, i.e. the safety of men, equipment & material,can be enhanced by avoiding unsafe conditions and unsafe actions. This can be better achieved by focusing on both the physical & the psychological factors of the work environment. 

• Physical work environment factors which include- Ladders, steps, elevators, lifts, illumination, PPEs (Personal Protective Equipment), Tools used, wet surfaces, evenness of the surface, house keeping, cleanliness, roads, speed breakers & sign boards, PTW (Permit To Work) system- Isolation of equipment, Hazardous material handling, Material Safety Data Sheets, Identification of Danger zones & display, Disaster Management Plan, Emergency exits, Fire Protection System, Electrical Earthing and other protections.
• Psychological work environment factors which include- Know-how about the equipment before operating, Mental stress of the employee, lack of concentration on work, lack of sleep or proper rest, lack of motivation, ego, overconfidence, increased workload, Awareness about the safety measures & training, Management commitment towards safety, Safety pep-talks, Safety audits, reporting and analysis of near-miss incidents, communication, mock-drills, competitions, safety counselling.