On the Job Safety Resolutions for the New Year

 Instead of centering on the “old standard” resolutions, such as promising to spend more time at the gym, dieting and setting professional goals, let’s try to take the time to figure a way to improve health and safety while on the job each day.

Health and safety should always come first. By improving the health and safety on the job, it not only ensures personal safety, but also makes the environment safe and more enjoyable for all employees.

Here are some resolution ideas that focus on Jobsite safety for the New Year:

 Review company policies for health and safety

Take time to look through the company policies, and review health and safety rules and regulations. Know your rights as an employer or employee, and make sure the company has provided sufficient information on keeping a safe working environment.

Review the previous year

Review the accidents of the year that just ended. Have there been any documented health hazards? How about slips, trips and falls due to safety problems? Were safety trainings sufficient throughout the year, or could this have been improved? Use the happenings from the year before to create better resolutions regarding safety on the job.

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 management.

Inspect Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

It’s a new year! Wouldn’t it be nice to start fresh with new PPE? Is the safety vest still properly fitted, or has the footwear lost their non-skid ability? Do safety glasses still allow clear vision, or should I replace my worn-out gloves? Ensure all PPE is in good shape before starting work in the New Year.

Acknowledge distractions – and throw them away

Activities that distract from tasks that need to be accomplished are distractions that should be thrown away along with the year that just ended. These distractions take away the concentration that should be

poured into the task at hand. One seemingly small slip may have serious repercussions in the form of health risks, or worse, loss of life. Get rid of these distractions and focus on the job that needs to be done.

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 for employees to take 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 in 2020 could lead to the beginning of a new decade that’s free from accidents and health hazards.