Don’t forget to look over the owner’s manuals for computers and other common electronics, which will also include information about hazards associated with their use.

The medical records of employees (with personal identifying information redacted) may also be helpful in discovering patterns of injury.

Have employees play an active role in regular safety inspections of work areas, equipment, and operations. Consult workers before making any major changes to the workplace, including: rearranging workstations, reorganizing operations, or introducing new equipment. Ask them to help you identify potential hazards that might emerge. Visit https://www. osha. gov for more information about how to train employees to identify and analyze hazards in the workplace.

Remember to inspect any vehicles that you use at your workplace, including passenger vehicles. Create a checklist of different types of hazards to look out for during your inspection, including: ergonomic problems, trip hazards, electrical hazards, equipment operation, fire protection, etc. Take photos and videos of hazardous conditions to keep a visual record, which you can then use when coming up with solutions to the problems or training employees to identify hazards.

Create an investigative plan and procedure ahead of time, so that you can begin investigating an incident as soon as possible. Designate and train a lead investigator and investigative team, clarify lines of communication, and prepare any equipment and supplies that the investigator will need. Make sure the investigation team includes both managers and workers.

Look at the Safety and Health Program Management Guidelines published by OSHA, for example, for helpful information about how to set up an effective safety and health system in your workplace. If you live in the European Union, visit https://osha. europa. eu/en to access health and safety publications, an online risk assessment tool, and other useful information about workplace hazards. [7] X Research source

If employees in your workplace engage in complex processes, seeking out safety and health experts can be especially useful.

The OSHA consultant will not issue a penalty or citation if they find a hazard at your workplace, but you will expect you to put safety measures in place as soon as possible. The OSHA consultant will also not share the findings of the final report with OSHA inspection staff. This consultation service is available to companies with fewer than 250 employees at a worksite and fewer than 500 companywide. If you live outside the USA, look for a similar program offered by the government in your country. Businesses in the United Kingdom, for example, can search for a safety and health consultant in the Occupational Safety and Health Consultants Register (OSHCR): https://www. oshcr. org. [10] X Research source