by Cynthia Wall

Created on: April 22, 2010

Accidents can happen anywhere. You can slip on a greasy floor washing dishes in a restaurant; you can get bumped by a piece of heavy equipment you weren’t paying attention to; you can get a bad sunburn or faint from heat exhaustion; you can be attacked by a swarm of bees while picking strawberries. But… you say… all of life is risky. What am I supposed to do? Stay inside and crochet doilies?  Of course not, but everyone who is employed needs to put on a safety thinking cap before heading out to work. 

1. Start healthy. A person in good health has better reflexes and is better able to withstand jobs, especially those that are outdoors or require strenuous exercise.  Get plenty of sleep so you don’t feel like dozing off at the job. Eat a good breakfast and pack a nourishing lunch and snacks to take with you.  Always have water with you.  Don’t drink soda pop on the job as the sugar will give you that famous valley of fatigue an hour or so after you’ve consumed it. 

2. Know and follow the safety rules where you work.  Every employee is usually given a safety orientation. If you’re under 21, you probably won’t be operating heavy equipment but you may be around it, so learn where to walk and which pathways are safe to cross. If lumbar support belts are considered necessary for your job, be sure to wear one, and always lift with care. Be sure to bend at the knees whether lifting or stooping and keep your back straight. Wear protective gloves if required.  Know where first aid supplies are and how to use them. Know the fire drill routine for your workplace, Know where the fire extinguisher is and if you don’t know CPR, know who does. 

3. Protect yourself from the sun. Use sun screen and carry water. Wear long-sleeved light-colored and light weight clothing if you have to work directly in the sun. Be aware that you can get burnt even on a cloudy day.  Try to stay out of direct sunlight from 10 to 3, but if you can’t, be alert to the signs of sunstroke which include cramps, nausea, and the inability to sweat. If you or a co-worker has these symptoms, get in the shade immediately. Call for help while you drink cool fluids and apply cool compresses. For those who work around water like lifeguards and swim instructors, be sure to apply sunscreen frequently as it may wash off. 

4. Obey the laws as they’re meant to protect you. There are laws limiting

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