Throughout the day, people often let housekeeping issues go unaddressed. Perhaps a spill on the floor that gets left for someone else to clean up, or an extension cord is left lying in the middle of the floor. For the sake of safety, most conscientious people will address a potential hazard the moment they encounter it rather than walking passed it.
While a child might make up a quick excuse by saying, “It wasn’t me,” helping to ensure everyone is safe is a full-time job for all of us. In some instances, hazards can be from a lack of general housekeeping, while in other cases, simple laziness can be the cause of injury. It bears repeating: If an employee sees something out of place or that could be a hazard, they should say something—or better yet, take care of it before it results in an accident.
In 2020, the country had 2.7 million non-fatal illnesses and injuries. The retail sector accounted for 341,100 accidents and 275 deaths. For every major injury, there are approximately 300 near misses, and many accidents can be prevented by not leaving a hazard for the next person who walks by.
Promoting safety involves proactive decisions and being accountable for maintaining a hazard-free workplace. Encouraging employees to report all potential dangers when encountering them and taking the necessary steps to rectify or mitigate them can significantly reduce the risks of accidents or injuries. Everyone can contribute to a safer work environment by fostering a collective commitment to safety.
Some helpful housekeeping videos are on RS SafetyTV, which are excellent for use as a safety meeting opener.
Our safety team is available to help members elevate their safety practices from simply meeting requirements to implementing quality safety measures. Contact us at [email protected] to learn more.
