The world is bigger than ever. From bigger shipments to bigger demands, such a strain on shipping and handling has led corporations to invest in only the best safety equipment available. With true manual labor now a thing of the past, places all over the world are finding it much more cost effective to invest in the safety of their employees than it is to invest in multiple employees. After all, it’s not exactly easy to find a new hire when everyone knows you cherish profits over workplace safety. Because of this, there has been quite the explosion in workplace accident prevention installments that previous generations would have loved to have.
Load Arrestors
As the name suggests, a load arrestor is a device that stops, or arrests, heavy objects from falling. Most are relatively simple in design, working off the same idea as a safety belt. When a sudden jerk of weight happens, the mechanism locks, preventing the weight from traveling any further. If pulled slowly, however, the object can be moved around freely with the safety cord attached. These are made for virtually any weight, providing safety no matter the situation.
Fall Protection
Because falls are the most common workplace accidents to occur, there have been a number of fall prevention devices created specifically for humans instead of materials. Including harnesses, guard rails and anchors, all can be secured no matter the location. All it takes is some preparation time and employees can work at high heights without fear of falling and suffering some type of debilitating injury.
Mats
Floors get slippery when wet, especially if they are the smooth tile or linoleum so often installed in buildings these days. Though spills can’t always be prevented, traction can be created by the simple addition of a mat. Some, like those made for kitchens, are highly elevated with holes poked through so the water reaches the floor while the kitchen workers remain above it on a non-slippery surface. Others are extremely cushioned to keep the worker comfortable throughout the day.
Ergonomics
The last but not least addition to workplace safety has to do with ergonomics. No matter what the job is, remaining in place for eight hours or repetitive motions throughout the day all lead to injuries. From the back to the wrist, it’s the one aspect of work that has yet to be entirely solved. In order to aid this area, designers have developed specialized braces and other shapes to lessen the stress placed on joints and backs. For the office, ergonomic keyboards, standing desks and lumbar support keep office life decent. In the warehouse, wrist braces, back braces and knee braces make sure the joints are always lined up correctly when undergoing any type of strain. Though workplace safety will never be 100%, these creations have made working safer than at any point in history.
