Fatality Prevention In The Workplace - Why Is It Important?

Apr 7
01:59

2022

Georgie Hawthorne

Georgie Hawthorne

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Every day, workers risk their lives on the job. Whether it is a construction worker who falls off a ladder or an office worker who gets crushed by a falling cabinet, workplace fatalities can occur in a number of ways and at any time. That is why it is so important for businesses to have fatality prevention programs in place.

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One of the best ways to ensure that there are no fatalities in the workplace is by making sure that your have the right health and safety procedures in place. By conducting WHS audits businesses can find out where there are lapses in their policies and procedures,Fatality Prevention In The Workplace - Why Is It Important? Articles and correct these issues with a follow up WHS consultation with a professional occupational hygienist in Australia or any other competent body. These professionals will even recommend such things as regular lung function tests, respirator fit tests and audiometric tests to be carried out.

 

What is a workplace fatality and why is it important to prevent them from happening?

Workplace fatalities are accidents or incidents in the workplace that result in a worker's death. They can occur in a number of ways, such as through falls, contact with hazardous materials, or being caught in machinery.

 

Preventing these fatalities is important for several reasons. First and foremost, no one should have to lose their life while they are working. Additionally, businesses can face significant financial penalties if a worker is killed on the job. Finally, preventing fatalities can help improve safety in the workplace overall and reduce the number of workers who are injured each year.

 

Some of the ways in which workplace fatalities can occur include:

  • Falling from heights or falling objects.
  • Contact with hazardous materials such as electricity and chemicals.
  • Getting caught in machinery, equipment, or other heavy moving parts.

 

Fatality Prevention is Important for Many Reasons

There are many ways to prevent workplace fatalities. These include using personal protective equipment (PPE), as well as conducting regular inspections of work areas before each shift starts. It is also important to have an emergency plan that includes evacuation routes and how employees should respond during emergencies like fires or chemical spills.

 

The most common causes of workplace fatalities

Some of the most common workplace fatalities include:

  • Chemicals and gases.
  • Caught in or crushed by equipment.

 

Each of these types of fatalities can be prevented through the use of PPE, safety training, and proper hazard communication. Employers should provide adequate PPE for their employees and ensure that it is being used properly. Employees should also receive regular safety training to keep them up to date on the latest hazards in their workplace. Finally, everyone working with hazardous materials should have a good understanding of the labels and Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for those materials. With these precautions in place, employers can help protect their workers from needless fatalities.

 

How to prevent workplace fatalities

Workplace fatalities are preventable if the correct safety measures are taken, such as:

  • The use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
  • Safety training for employees on how to avoid accidents at work.
  • Good understanding of the hazards and labels for hazardous materials, as well as Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for those materials.
  • Conducting regular WHS audits where necessary.
  • Ensuring the workplace is compliant with appropriate WHS regulations and standards.
  • Performing regular maintenance checks on equipment and ensuring that repairs are carried out in a timely manner if they are required.

 

Resources for employers and employees to help keep the workplace safe

There are many resources which can help both employers and employees to stay safe in the workplace. These include:

  • The Safe Work Australia website which provides a range of resources, including supporting documents and guidelines for employers and employees on topics such as work health and safety (WHS), workers compensation, dangerous goods etc.
  • The WHS Act which can be found on this website also helps to keep people safe at work by stipulating what responsibilities both employers and employees have with regard to keeping workplaces safe for employees.
  • The Workplace Health and Safety Queensland website also offers a range of resources, fact sheets and guidelines on WHS for both employers and employees in Queensland workplaces.

 

One of the most important reasons for having fatality prevention measures in place is that fatalities can occur in any workplace, at any time. While some industries may be more hazardous than others, there is no industry which is immune to fatalities. Some of the main types of fatalities which can occur in the workplace are:

  • Traumatic injuries caused by incidents such as slips, trips and falls; being hit by an object; or exposure to hazardous substances.
  • Asphyxiation or suffocation from gases, vapours or dusts.
  • Burns or scalds.
  • Crushing injuries.

 

It is important for both employers and employees to be aware of the risks associated with their industry and take steps to mitigate these risks. Employers must provide a safe working environment for their employees, which includes ensuring that all necessary safety measures are in place. Employees must also comply with the safety regulations that are being enforced. In this way, both employers and employees are doing their part to make the workplace a safe environment for everyone.

 

Incidents in the workplace can be prevented through regular risk assessments which identify hazards and how these should be managed. A comprehensive training program can ensure that all employees understand what they need to do to reduce risks of injury or death while working with dangerous substances or machinery. Implementing safety equipment as well as personal protective equipment (PPE) such as hard hats, goggles and gloves will also help prevent accidents from occurring.

 

The consequences of an accident can be fatal for an organisation that does not have a fatality prevention plan in place. Injuries and even death can affect an organization’s bottom line significantly, but there are many other factors which need consideration including staff morale, community relations as well as legal obligations such as workers compensation claims or lawsuits filed against them by family members if someone dies while working on their premises due to negligence.

 

Any successful organisation understands that it is important not only for production levels but also employee morale when workers feel safe in their environment. It has been shown that having effective health and safety policies are one of the best ways to reduce injuries and fatalities in the workplace.