Prevention is Better Than Cure: How training can save lives and improve workplace health
Every year there are approximately 340 million occupational accidents around the world, as well as 160 million victims of work-related illnesses, with 6,000 people dying from these daily. Many incidents, injuries and fatalities could be avoided if Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) training is provided.
In light of World Day for Safety and Health at Work, observed on 28 April to promote the prevention of occupational accidents and diseases, Tank Industries would like to shine a light on the importance of OHS training:
Hazard identification: Training enables employees to identify potential hazards in the workplace, such as dangerous substances, faulty equipment, or unsafe work practices. By being able to recognise these hazards, employees can take steps to avoid or eliminate them.
Risk assessment: Staff can also learn how to evaluate the risks associated with their job tasks, and the appropriate precautions they need to take to minimise those risks. This may involve the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and the safe disposal of chemicals.
Safe work practices: OHS training can teach employees the correct procedures for performing their duties safely, for instance the proper use of machinery or lifting techniques.
Emergency preparedness: By knowing what to do in an emergency like a fire, chemical spill, or medical situation, employees can help prevent injuries and minimise the damage.
Health and wellness: Teaching workers about proper nutrition, exercise, and stress management, for example, can also enable them to maintain good health, which in turn can help them to be better able to perform their jobs safely and effectively.
Healthy and safe workplaces experience lower staff turnover and absenteeism, higher employee loyalty, and increased productivity, while also ensuring compliance with legal requirements. But it is up to employers to ensure that adequate training is provided.
At Tank Industries, we pride ourselves on the comprehensive Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) training with which we empower our staff so that we ensure a healthy and happy team. At the same time, this enables us to comply with the standards contained within our Safety, Health, Environment and Quality (SHEQ) integrated management systems.
With World Day for Safety and Health at Work just around the corner, we encourage our customers and partners to consider implementing intensive OHS training programs too if they have not done so already – it might just save lives.