How to Prevent Workplace Injuries

workplace injuriesAs a contractor, you know how important it is to maintain a safe and comfortable workplace. Not only do you want your workers to be healthy and happy from a personal perspective, but you also want to prevent workplace injuries because you know a missing worker equals a loss in production and a loss in revenue.

So, here are a few ways to keep your contracting business running smoothly:

  1. Education: Developing a safety plan is key to preventing workplace injuries. Think of it as a road map or blueprint to keeping your workers safe. It identifies common hazards, emphasizes the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), and outlines steps to take once an accident occurs. Annual trainings on heavy tools and equipment are equally important as well as outlining accommodations available for workers who may have trouble completing certain tasks due to physical ailments. Workers’ compensation coverage is particularly important to have because it protects your contracting business from being liable for an accident.
  2. Inspection: Your tools and equipment need to undergo routine maintenance in the same way you need to undergo through routine vaccinations. They also need insurance, not regular auto insurance but commercial auto insurance designed for businesses.
  3. Prevention: Taping wires down, clearing unnecessary debris, and installing safety guards are all good ways of preventing workplace injuries. Installing signs warning people of hazards is also a good preventative practice. Safety goggles, steel toed boots, gloves and hard hats are all a must-have for any busy contracting business. While many contractors are not custom to performing background checks, it might prevent workplace injuries. An employee’s performance is impaired when their under the influence and that puts other people at risk.
  4. Implementation: An employee handbook should include a section about safety on the job and you should reinforce that handbook throughout the year. Employees can become complacent over time, so it’s important for you to make sure no one is slacking.

Need construction insurance? Contact John Quinn at 617-612-6533 or email him at jquinn@hkinsurance.com.

John began working at H&K Insurance in September 2017. With over 30 years’ experience in the insurance industry, John Quinn is armed with the knowledge and experience to fit your unique needs. He specializes in writing comprehensive insurance policies for general contractors, landscapers, and restaurant owners. Keeping your interests at the forefront of his mind, John works with insurance companies to create policies that fit the philosophy and scope of your business. Affordable and detailed are two traits that aptly describe the policies he writes. In his spare time, he enjoys taking trips to the Cape and volunteering at his local animal shelter.