Professionals who operate machines or perform tasks considered to be risky are aware in their daily practice that it is necessary to redouble their care and attention. We cannot limit the importance of prevention to just specific areas. When we talk about safety in the work environment, every professional, regardless of their role, needs to follow standards that keep them and other employees safe.

Accidents are always synonymous with losses, when lives are involved, it becomes irreparable.

Recent studies demonstrate that most of the time accidents could be avoided if safety standards were followed correctly. As much as the security committees oversee and raise awareness, it is the mentality and habits of employees that will make a difference in the statistics.

In this article we present 6 essential tips for accident prevention, but first, we need to demystify some important points.

When it comes to safety, in many cases we only refer to situations of immediate cause and effect, where injury or loss occurs in a few moments, but most problems related to disability and inconvenience are always linked to long-term harmful habits .

Respiratory problems caused by inhalation of toxic products, the misuse of protective equipment, chronic pain in the joints from not maintaining the correct posture, hearing loss due to long exposure to noise without hearing protection, are some of the countless problems that often do not come into play. in the static ones because they are diagnosed in isolation.

The Internal Occupational Accident Prevention Week (SIPAT) is an effective tool for strengthening the Internal Accident Prevention Commissions (CIPA), activities that are directly related to protection, health, well-being, are essential for changing behavior .

Although the week is held only once a year, the teachings and information are reproduced as part of the company's internal culture.

We know that obvious questions are the ones they disapprove of the most, and none of the tips presented in this article are new or revolutionary strategies, but they are commonly overlooked.

1. Be aware of the risks around you, be careful.

Keeping your attention fixed on the possible risks that simple situations can cause is a step forward towards preventing major accidents. Taking care of wet floors, bare wires, energized objects, sharp materials, always walking in the protection strips, are essential attitudes that make all the difference.

2. Properly promote and use protective equipment.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) are true “angels” of protection, helmets to cushion impacts, gloves that prevent injuries, breathing equipment when exposed to harmful products, are some of the various materials needed to carry out the work safely. Each situation requires specific equipment to use.

3. Keep environments and equipment properly signposted.

We hear constant reports of accidents caused by signs positioned in inappropriate places, and what was to be prevented, due to poor management, becomes the main factor of accidents. It is necessary to guarantee the integrity of the people who are present in the environments, strictly following pre-established rules on how to use flags correctly, is a great ally in prevention.

4. Machines just run, don't think and are limited to pre-defined settings, don't get used to the risks.

It may seem obvious, but the most responsible for accidents involving machines is the recklessness when running them. Because they have repetitive patterns within a production line, professionals end up getting used to the risks, leaving safety issues aside because they think it's unnecessary, believing they have control of the situation, but it is precisely in the comfort zone that the least likely fatal accidents occur . When dealing with machines, constantly review safety standards, questioning their effectiveness.

5. Participate in meetings, courses and events about safety and quality in the workplace.

The obvious is only obvious to the prepared man, updating is essential, changes only occur in environments where there are questions, for more knowledge about a subject, there is always room for updates.

6. Take the first aid course.

The professional who is committed to safety has the spirit of protection that involves taking care of all members of the company, it is a team work where everyone is responsible for maintaining the safety of the environment.

We need to protect life, and ensure physical and emotional integrity for everyone around us.