Each year, more than 4 million workers suffer a serious job-related injury or illness. From slips, falls, and trips to lifting and striking/catching injuries (when workers are struck or caught by an object), workplace hazards are inevitable—even in an office setting.

If you experience an injury on the job, we’ve got the steps you should take to keep your employer and insurer in the loop. As for employers, we have tips and suggestions to keep your workplace safe, which include installing proper lighting and surfaces, stocking up on the right supplies to stay organized and prevent tripping hazards, and educating employees.

What to do when you’re injured on the job?

• Notify your supervisor immediately, when you’re injured and make sure that the injury report is in writing. Failure by an employee to report workplace injury within a time-frame could forfeit your right to file a worker’s compensation claim.
• Obtain first-aid or other medical treatment as soon as possible. Once you have notified your employer about the injury at work, they need to ensure that you receive prompt medical attention and care.
• Notify your insurance provider. In case of a workplace injury, you need to file a claim with the State Workers compensation board if necessary or avail of the workers’ compensation benefits for lost wages, during time away from job for recovery.

See: Role of the Human Brain in Workplace Injuries and Accidents: “Brain-Centered Hazards”

What you can do as an employer to ensure workplace safety?

• Design and develop a workplace injury prevention policy, which clearly specifies responsibilities entailed by both the employer and the employee.
• Educate, train and monitor employees. Review your injury prevention policy with the new hires and stress on the importance of following safety measures at work. When an employee takes on a new job role, make sure they follow all safety procedures.
• Install skid-resistant surfaces to reduce trips and falls. Install flooring with static co-efficient of friction more than 0.5 for high-risk areas. The higher the static coefficient, the safer it is.
• Install proper lighting and replace light bulbs as soon as they go off. Make sure all indoor and outdoor areas are properly lit to reduce shadows and dark areas.
• Stock on cleanup supplies for spills such as paper towels, absorbent material and wet floor signs easily available.
• Use no skid-waxes in slippery areas and use soap that does not leave slippery foam. Tape or anchor electrical cords to floors if they cross walkways.
• Review injuries. After an injury occurs, review on the reasons of why and how did it occur. Work to fix the problem so that it doesn’t happen again.
• Recognise employees that put safety first. Reward workers who take safety precautions, initiate safety training and mentoring.

Workplace injuries can always be prevented with safety precautions, timely guidance and care. While HR personnel and senior leaders tend to be caught up in the daily hustle-bustle, these tips above should keep employers protected and employees safe in their workplace.

The original article was published here.

Also read: Technology Should Help Companies Worry Less about Workplace Safety and Health of Employees