Contributed by Info Guru Paul Seaburn

Workplace safety begins with identifying safety hazards in your office, factory, or other workplace.

Once the hazards are found, workers need to be protected temporarily until the hazard is removed or permanently if it cannot be. There is an abundance of workplace safety resources available to isolate, remove, or work around the hazards. Here are some good ones.

10. Signs

Hazard warnings, emergency instructions, and temporary detours are just some of the functions of safety signs. Many are reflective or fluorescent so they can be seen in dark or low-light conditions.

9. Compliance Centers

Keep workers informed about the hazards in the chemicals they handle, transport, or work around with a Materials Safety compliance center. Mandated by employee health and safety regulations for most kinds of workplaces, a complaint center lets employees know what chemicals in in everything from solvents to adhesives, what health threats they pose, and how to safely handle them.

8. First Aid

Keep first aid kits in easy-to-find locations. Many are well-stocked with equipment and instructions for a variety of medical emergencies, but it pays to train certain employees on how to use them quickly to avoid wasting precious time.

7. Respirators and Masks

Areas, where smoke, gases, and noxious are possible, should be well-stocked with masks and breathing respirators. Workers should be well-trained on respirator usage and the equipment should be tested and maintained regularly.

6. Protective Headgear

Hard hats, safety glasses, and earplugs are not just for construction sites anymore – areas with severe weather and tornadoes are recommending they be kept in stock for protection from flying storm debris. Noise hazards are particularly dangerous because hearing can be damaged permanently so make both plugs and muffs mandatory for workers in noisy environments.

5. Training

In-house and off-site safety courses are comprehensive and can be customized to your particular needs. DVDs on safety procedures and recognizing potentially dangerous situations should be viewed regularly.

4. High-Visibility Clothing

Workers in high vehicle traffic areas should wear high-visibility reflective gear and if necessary, battery-powered lights. High-visibility vests should also be stocked in areas where workers may need to be led out of a building in low- or no-visibility situations.

3. Cleanup Equipment

In areas where liquid, dust, or other material spills are possible, containment equipment and wet and dry vacuums should be nearby for fast cleanup before slips and falls can occur. The equipment should be easy to access, easy to use, and maintained frequently.

2. Fire Extinguishers

Local fire codes dictate the minimum number of fire extinguishers required by law for a building, but more should be ready and accessible in workplaces where fire is a possible hazard. Fireproof blankets and flame-resistant clothing can also protect workers in fire emergencies until they can escape or the fire department arrives.

1. Back And Body Supports

Warehouse workers required to perform heavy lifting are usually trained in the use of safety belts for protection against back strain, but these belts should also be made available wherever heavy boxes, office equipment, or even water cooler bottles are lifted or moved by workers. Wrist braces and knee pads are protective and make it easier to get down and look for things that roll under desks and cabinets.