Maintaining a safe working

environment is the

responsibility of employees and

employers alike. While

managers and employers need

to be responsible for preventing

safety hazards and complying

with federal and state

guidelines, workers also need to

make sure they follow proper

safety procedures and take care

not to endanger themselves and

their coworkers.

OSHA and other government bodies publish safety guidelines for the many different types of

industries and workplaces, and it is the responsibility of site managers to make sure that their

worksites are compliant. Managers and owners should routinely check to make sure their

businesses are compliant with current safety regulations, and take steps to fix any lapses.

For employees, it is their responsibility

to make sure that they follow safety

guidelines and do not create unsafe

situations. These steps include:

• Using proper lifting techniques to

prevent injury

• Following safety instructions while

operating machinery

• Wearing the appropriate work safety

clothing for the job they are

performing

Another key part of work safety is creating a culture where

employees feel comfortable reporting potential safety problems,

and where workers and managers alike take potential issues

seriously. Finding and fixing potential hazards is a shared

responsibility, and can only be done properly when people feel like

they can speak up.

For worksites that use potentially

dangerous tools and machinery,

providing employees with proper

training is very important.

Employees who operate machinery

should be given thorough training

and supervised carefully. Equipment

and machinery should also be kept

fully functional and repaired, with

defective or outdated tools taken

out of circulation.

Another part of good workplace safety is making sure that rules and guidelines are clear and

understood by everyone. Operational guidelines for machinery should be posted in a place

where they can be seen and read, and company policy on all safety issues should be clear and

made available to all.

Worksites should also have a clear

response plan to accidents and disasters

that require evacuation or other

emergency response. Evacuation drills

should be practiced regularly enough that

employees are familiar with safety plans,

and shelters and emergency exits should

be clearly marked.

One of the most important parts of work safety is making sure everyone has the right

equipment and clothing to keep them safe on the job. Different conditions require

different kinds of protective gear, and dress code/workwear requirements should take

into account the conditions for each position.

Prudential Overall Supply is the

leading supplier of work uniforms

and protective gear. Prudential is

committed to fostering work

safety in all industries by

providing the best products

available. Learn more at

www.prudentialuniforms.com.