Workplace Accident Prevention: Assessing Risks in Employee Areas

Worker fatigue is a consistent factor that should be included in detailed workplace risk assessment.  Tiredness directly affects employee efficiency and kinesio-spatial-tactile awareness which is necessary to avoid dangers in the workplace.  A tired employee is slower to respond when encountering dangerous situations.  He is less aware of his environment.  His reflexes and balance are greatly hampered by fatigue, meaning her is more likely to get hurt at work.

Workplace risk prevention should invest in products and protocols that reduce employee exhaustion.  A thorough risk assessment of employee areas will identify and classify the threats present and propose measure to minimize the risks of injury and accidents.

Risks Found in Employee Areas

To better understand the needs of employees in the workplace so that safety risks maybe prevented, each area will be discussed below:

Loading Dock Areas

Loading docks are very different from entry ways.  While there is plenty of traffic in these areas, employees are often carrying merchandise or operating heavy machinery. Alertness is crucial to avoid accidents and for things to run smoothly throughout the day.  Should an incident occur, productivity decreases and efficiency greatly suffers.  Profits can be diminished and employee absenteeism will increase.

Exhaustion leads to a misapprehension of abilities.  Workers can overestimate their own strength and risk injuring their bodies.  Risk prevention would point to increasing alertness by implementing sufficient rest periods during an employee’s shift to lessen fatigue.

            Assembly Lines

Workers in the assembly line perform specific and repetitive actions.  Often, they are on their feet while they are doing their jobs.   Scientific research has proven that repetitive motion risks injury.  Manufacturing employees are at risk of injury especially around complex and dangerous machines.  By citing exhaustion as a detriment to productivity in a risk assessment document, prevention methods can be put in place to help workers.

            Behind Counters

Employees that work in reception areas of hotels, venues, and buildings serve as gatekeepers to an establishment.  While not performing the same demanding tasks as those in manufacturing and loading areas, these workers are also subject to fatigue and poor blood circulation.  They, too, should be protected from the dangers in their area as other employees. 

 Slip and fall accidents happen to anyone in all areas of the workplace.  An exhausted person will be unable to balance themselves and avoid injuries, whether they’ve been working in the docks or behind a reception counter.  By minimizing fatigue, these employees can serve customers better and with a smile, presenting your business in the best light.

            Kitchens

Kitchens and food preparation areas have particular needs.  Chefs and kitchen staff operate in high pressure environment in a closed confined space.  They must move quickly and efficiently in order to provide maximum service to their customers.   Another dimension that belongs strictly to food preparation is sanitation.  This work area requires the most pristine of environments because the threat of infection is always high.  Workers need to always be on the ball and perform precisely to avoid contamination, collisions, and injuries.

For this area, risk assessments should include tools such as knives, dangerous behaviors like running, collisions, and exhaustion.  Evaluations should also address the high temperatures within these areas. Benefits of Anti-Fatigue Mats

Workers are on their feet for eight hours with minimal rests.  Anti-fatigue mats can alleviate symptoms of tiredness that make employees susceptible to injuries.  Standing behind the counters, working at the assembly lines, loading stations and garages standing for a long period of time on a bare concrete surface can be damaging to ankles, knees, and spines.  Blood flow to the lower extremities can be severely constrained without sufficient rest and support. 

Commercial anti-fatigue mats bring relief to tired legs during the long course of the day. They reduce the impact of building pressure on the lower legs and backs.  The ergonomic design of anti-fatigue mats promotes circulation which reduces tiredness and increases efficient output.