Occupational safety: Safe work practices, every day

It is a sad fact, but employees in the Belgian private sector are still victims of an occupational accident every day. Here are some figures from Fedris, the Federal Agency for Occupational Risks:

• A total of 150,696 occupational accident reports were filed in 2022; a 2% increase compared to 2021. However, this number still remains 11% lower than the 2019 level. The number of accidents probably remained lower due to the persistence of telecommuting.
• The number of occupational accidents with foreseen permanent incapacity or fatalities has decreased by 9.3% in 2022 compared to 2021. For accidents involving temporary incapacity for work, there was a decrease of almost 2%, while the number of accidents without consequences increased by 0.7%.
• Most accidents happen in the age group of 20 to 29-year-olds. However, the consequences are often less severe compared to other age groups.
• Slips and trips resulting in falls are the most common cause in 2022. Uncoordinated, uncontrolled, or incorrect movements ranks second, followed by people falling from a height at number three.

In the event that an occupational accident occurs, the employer is legally required to have the circumstances of the accident thoroughly and methodically examined by a prevention advisor. This will help the employer gain insight into the causes and impact of the incident and will allow for a number of measures to be implemented to prevent such incidents from reoccurring.

• Small changes can substantially reduce the risk of workplace accidents.
  Quick and easy changes such as greater attention to neatness in the workplace can make a big difference.
   
• A proper risk assessment programme helps you detect potentially hazardous situations in a timely manner. By analysing near-misses and first-aid incidents, you can reveal root causes and implement changes to prevent recurrence. 
   
• Good communication with your employees is essential if you wish to implement effective prevention measures.
  Safe work practices largely rely on the right attitude of employees towards safety and incident prevention. By discussing safety with all parties involved, you will gain better insights more easily.
   
• A policy of prevention often goes hand in hand with a process of change.
  Keeping your employees well informed about potential workplace hazards is of the utmost importance if you want them to embrace and observe the measures implemented, even when those measures may slow down work or require more discipline.

• Fewer occupational accidents and fewer employees who are absent due to temporary or permanent incapacity to work.

• A systematic and effective prevention policy in conformity with legal regulations

• In addition to the analysis of occupational accidents, Mensura can help you develop a global and annual prevention plan and perform general or job-specific risk assessments as well as hazard assessments in view of electrical installations, fire prevention and explosive atmospheres. Mensura also provides assistance, professional guidance and coaching for internal prevention advisors.

• Operational continuity.

• Advice and recommendations when new or heavily modified machinery is introduced to the market or on the workfloor.

Work safety starts with good knowledge of the workplace and the equipment used, by the prevention adviser, the purchaser, and the employee alike.

Occupational safety training courses:

• Basic training course for fire prevention and fire fighting
• Working safely on electrical installations - warned persons BA4
• Working safely on electrical installations - competent persons BA5

Read our blog posts about occupational safety.

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Occupational safety: data as a key to zero incidents in the workplace at ArcelorMittal Tailored Blanks Genk